BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama leaders, educators and mental health professionals gathered Friday at Birmingham’s Harbert Center for a wide-ranging discussion on the state’s mental health system, its progress and persistent challenges.
Hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, the “State of Mind” forum focused on efforts to expand access to services and improve support for those in crisis.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, opened the forum, sharing how his own perspective on mental health shifted after meeting with families affected by the lack of services.
“When it comes to mental health, we were failing the people of this state miserably,” Ledbetter said.
At Ivey’s request several year ago, Ledbetter led a statewide effort including probate judges, mental health coordinators, law enforcement, and educators to develop solutions.
Since then, Alabama has committed more than $300 million to expand mental health services, including school-based mental health coordinators, regional crisis care centers and mobile crisis units, he said.
Gov. Kay Ivey reinforced Alabama’s growing investment in mental health during her keynote speech Friday.
“With the help of Speaker Ledbetter, (House General Fund budget committee Chairman Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Hazel Green) and the legislature, Alabama is devoting more resources to mental health care service delivery, including launching and growing a network of community-based response centers across our state,” Ivey said.
She has also proposed an additional $10 million from the state’s general fund to expand civil commitment and residential services.
But even as new services expand, troubling gaps remain. Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell provided a stark look at the state’s mental health crisis, citing 2024 data that underscores the growing need for services.
“In Alabama, we have 931,000 Alabamians who reported mental illness,” she said. That’s 24% of Alabama’s adult population, slightly higher than the national average of 23%.
Suicide remains a major concern, with 827 adults in the state dying by suicide in 2024 and over 2,000 individuals reporting serious thoughts of suicide.
“Losing one individual in our state to suicide, in my opinion, is unacceptable,” Boswell added.
The youth mental health crisis has surged in recent years, she said.
”Since 2010, in girls, (major depression) increased 145%, and for boys, it’s increased 161%,” Boswell said.
One big reason for that, she noted, is the prevalence of cell phones and how much time teens spend on them.
“We have switched in our society from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood,” Boswell said.
Ivey pointed to growing concerns over the role of social media.
“Studies show that teens are spending on average five hours a day on social media, and it’s having a negative impact on their well-being,” she said.
She is backing the FOCUS Act, which would restrict phone use in schools to limit distractions and support student mental health.
During a panel discussion of mental health professionals and educators, Assistant State Superintendent Melissa Shields stressed that school staff play a critical role in supporting struggling children.
“We know one adult in front of a child of trauma can change the trajectory of that child’s life, and we can’t always change what they’re going through, but we know we can help them through it,” she said.
While schools play a key role, Alabama is also expanding mental health services at the community level. After years of underfunding, those efforts have finally gained momentum, Jeremy Blair, CEO of Wellstone, said.
“For the first time in 50 years, we have a comprehensive plan for community mental health,” he said, highlighting the addition of crisis services and 150 civil commitment beds over the next five years.
But sustaining that progress will require continued focus, Blair cautioned.
“How do we continue…to stay that course, to make sure that the gains that we’ve made over the last five years, we don’t lose?”
One of the most urgent gaps remains the lack of long-term mental health treatment options. Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, called out state spending priorities.
“I cannot, as a legislator, as a citizen in the state of Alabama, justify putting a billion dollars in building correctional facilities, and we don’t have [an adequate] long-term mental health hospital in the state,” she said.
Ivey emphasized that mental health remains a priority.
“Mental health is a situation that a lot of people face,” Ivey said. “They don’t know what to do or who to trust. So it’s important that we spread out our efforts and resources.”
