Gov. Glenn Youngkin has recently launched the “Right Help, Right Now” initiative to improve mental health care access in Virginia. The project is a three-year plan aimed at providing immediate assistance to those in need and improving access to mental health services. The initiative was started in 2022 and Youngkin signed 31 bills in support of the plan at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board.
During the event, one of the speakers was Caroline Ouko, who shared her experiences as the mother of Irvo Otieno, who passed away last year while in custody at Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County. This led to calls for mental health and law enforcement reform. As part of the plan, Youngkin emphasized the importance of hiring more staff at 9-8-8 call centers such as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center to meet the growing demand for services.
In addition, the initiative aims to explore alternative transportation methods for individuals requiring mental health care services, reducing reliance on law enforcement for such purposes. Ouko expressed her hope that Youngkin would stay committed to addressing these issues, especially given her son’s case. Youngkin acknowledged the challenges faced by law enforcement in handling mental health crises and expressed his support for finding solutions that benefit both the community and law enforcement personnel.
