Skip to main content

Mental health initiatives announced in Va.

By WTOP Staff

By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. – Gov. Bob McDonnell is proposing increased mental health funding and the creation of a task force to look at ways to head off mental health crises.

The governor announced the initiatives Tuesday. They follow the November death of a Virginia state senator’s son less than one day after he had been released from emergency custody.

McDonnell is proposing more than $38 million in state funding over the next two-year budget cycle for critical mental health services. The task force would include mental health and law enforcement officials among its members.

Virginia mental health officials have already announced changes in response to the death of Sen. Creigh (KREE) Deeds’ son Gus.

Citing the Virginia Tech massacre, McDonnell said Virginians have experienced “tremendous heartache” as a result of mental health tragedies.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emergency guide: What you should do to prepare for emergencies

By WTOP Staff
WASHINGTON — Do you know what you'd do if an emergency hits? What if you're at work, your spouse is stuck in traffic and your children are in school? There's no way to plan for every emergency, but you can make sure you're prepared for different scenarios, including making a plan for your family and building a kit of emergency supplies.
Read Next Story

Related News

Help! My Child Is ‘Failing to Thrive’

More than 200 sickened aboard Baltimore cruise ship

Unsafe in any freeze: Some 4WD vehicles have major limitations