BOSTON (WWLP) — Westfield Senator John Velis has spearheaded a push for increased funding for children’s mental health services, joining the Children’s Mental Health Campaign in a rally at the State House on Thursday. The rally aims to address proposed cuts in Governor Maura Healey’s budget that would drastically reduce resources for youth and family mental health services.
As co-chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, Senator Velis emphasized that restoring funding to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is a top priority. “The earlier you intervene… the better the downstream outcomes will be,” Velis stated, highlighting the importance of early mental health intervention for children.
Impact of Budget Cuts on Essential Services
Governor Healey’s budget proposal includes significant reductions to the DMH, many of which will severely limit available mental health care services for children. One of the most concerning cuts is the elimination of funding for Three Rivers, a residential treatment facility in Belchertown that serves children ages 6 to 12 in mental health crises. Three Rivers is the only facility in Massachusetts providing inpatient care for young children, and its closure would leave a critical gap in services.
Erin, a mother whose child is currently receiving care at Three Rivers, expressed her concerns: “Children in mental health crisis languish in hospital ER hallways… I am so grateful we found Three Rivers, but I know there are families like mine across the state who are still struggling.”
A Matter of Life and Death for Families
For many families across Massachusetts, the loss of DMH funding could mean the loss of essential services that are often a matter of life and death. As mental health needs among children continue to rise, the loss of resources could further strain an already overwhelmed system, leaving children without the necessary care.
Complicating the situation is the loss of federal funding, which has added uncertainty to the budget process this year. With these financial challenges, it remains unclear which programs will face the deepest cuts, heightening anxiety among families who rely on state-funded mental health services.
The campaign, led by Senator Velis and mental health advocates, is pushing for lawmakers to reverse these proposed cuts and ensure that children and families have access to the mental health care they need. The outcome of the budget debate will be critical for the future of mental health services in the state.
