SB 28: Increasing Access to Mental Health Care Providers

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Current law has neglected to provide adequate mental health care for citizens as troubling statistics, like suicide becoming the leading cause of death for Utahns ages 10-24, show. The mental health care needs of Utah must be addressed. An important step in addressing poor mental health in Utah is to expand the number of health professionals able to effectively treat mental health-related issues. 

Senate Bill 28, sponsored by Senator Curt Bramble, attempts to ensure more Utahns have access to mental health treatment. Senate Bill 28 allows physician assistants (PAs) who specialize in psychiatric mental health to perform mental health therapies. 

Opening the door for PAs to provide mental health treatment services will increase the number of medical professionals who can serve those struggling with mental illness. 

Senate Bill 28 will help provide additional care in a state where 58.6% of adolescents with depression don’t get treatment and 21.5% of the entire population struggles with depression. This legislation will work effectively in changing the picture that these statistics paint.