Op-Ed
Mental health care cannot be optional
Site Administrator · June 6, 2026
Waitlists for therapists stretch months. Crisis lines save lives but cannot replace ongoing care. Stigma has softened; access has not kept pace.
Integrating behavioral health into primary care, expanding Medicaid reimbursement, and funding peer support programs are proven steps.
Treating mental health as "extra" guarantees emergencies we could prevent.
