Should the state control mental health?

The correct answer is, “Only if you believe in putting schizophrenics in charge of the asylum.”

It’s becoming ever more clear that mental health will be what the state says it is, as long as the state pays for it, regulates it, decides who may practice it or build new facilities, and plays politics with it. All of which the State of Michigan is pursuing with all its might.

In the old days, the complaint was bullying of “sexual minorities” – the latest term for lesbian, gay, and bisexual. However, the state has leapt past appropriate local anti-bullying measures straight into a statewide prohibition for any form of counseling away from same sex attraction or gender dysphoria. Patient and counselor beliefs, knowledge, First Amendment rights – none of it matters to the state.

Incompetent doesn’t begin to describe the state as psychologist. Ask any real-world mental health professional about inflexible, bureaucratic state programs and institutions, and you’ll get an earful.

That’s enough reason to want the state out of mental healthcare. However, that’s not what makes it schizophrenic.

You get more of what you pay for

It’s important to know the two ways the State of Michigan pays for mental health. Of course, it spends billions on programs, regulators, and institutions. Less obviously, the state also pays into mental health with “emoluments” – that is, what it elevates in public esteem with praise, reward, or special attention. If you’ve heard state mental health ads, you know programs and pronouncements both play a role in policy.

It’s common knowledge that mental disorders and substance abuse go together. Less well-reported is the third part of the picture: sexual behavior. Specifically, “sexual minority” behavior.

2023 SAMHSA Report

The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released the Lesbian, gay, and bisexual behavioral health: Results from the 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health.

In both men and women, the straight lifestyle is by far the healthiest. Of 14 unhealthy behaviors assessed, excessive alcohol was the only one equal in all categories of men surveyed.

“Sexual minority” status corresponded with two, three, or even higher multiples of substance abuse (cigarettes, opioids, illicit drugs, stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens, tranquilizers) AND mental health disorders (divided into Any, Serious, Major Depressive, co-occurring, and Suicidal).

Obviously, we should all be concerned that these are not happy or healthy people. Arguing chicken versus egg becomes moot when lives are at stake. The important thing is to break the cycle.

And that’s where state schizophrenia comes in.

Schizophrenic state policy:
Restrict drugs but promote sex no matter what.

The State of Michigan ardently makes war against substance abuse, yet promotes the sexual behavior closely associated with it, and insists we all promote it, too. The University of Michigan/ Michigan Medicine is actively protecting the lifestyle as well. It advocates against conscience exemptions to mandatory insurance coverage for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (prevents HIV if used before risky sex or intravenous drugs).

The SAMHSA Report inserts the tired old clause: “these findings do not explain the reasons for these differences, such as the influence of stressors that are unique to people who identify as.…”

But unknown causes is a reason for more freedom to choose counseling options, not less. It certainly doesn’t justify state intimidation of free speech and forced approval of “sexual minority” behavior.

It’s time to reel the state back in. Limit state involvement in mental healthcare: talk to your legislators and the governor’s office today.

Find their contact information here.