Local opinion: Arizona Legislature must renew Jake's Law funding

In 2020, the Arizona Legislature passed S.B. 1523, also known as Jake’s Law, to address mental health and substance use in the State of Arizona. Among other provisions, the law created the $8,000,000 Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund, which could be used to fully cover mental health services for uninsured and underinsured students in Arizona.

The impact of this fund has been vast. Now, four years later, this fund is running out and families are facing the risk of losing access to critical mental health services. The Arizona Legislature must renew its commitment to the health and safety of Arizona students by continuing to fund the Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund for years to come.

Jake’s Law is named after Jacob Machovsky, an Arizona teenager who lost his life to suicide in 2016. Despite a clear need, Jacob’s insurance declined coverage for two hospital visits, resulting in his early release. Less than three months later, Jake died by suicide. In his memory, Jake’s parents and supporters founded the JEM Foundation, which successfully advocated for the passage of Jake’s Law.

In Arizona, children account for 49% of all suicides, despite being only 41% of the population. Suicide deaths are preventable, with statewide data from 2022 showing that 80% of child suicides occurred after a “recent suicide warning.” Legislation like Jake’s Law ensures that students exhibiting the warning signs of suicide, or any mental health condition, can access free preventative services. While the child mortality rate due to suicide has decreased since 2020 (when Jake’s Law was passed), it is still above the 2019 (pre-pandemic) level.

Unfortunately, because it started as a one-time contribution, the $8,000,000 fund created by Jake’s Law is about to run out. The funding has been spent supporting students in need of mental health services since 2020, but now families that depend on this fund will be forced to start paying for these services themselves or withdrawing their child from services completely.

Working in this field, I see firsthand the new challenges being faced by kids whose years of critical development were marred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges with social skills and emotional regulation seem widespread, making it clear that now is the time to continue providing MORE support to Arizona’s students, not less. Improving access to mental healthcare — as Jake’s Law has done — is a proven strategy for the prevention of suicide and other mental health conditions. Now, we must demand that the Arizona Legislature amplify its dedication to our students by continuing to fund the Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund with a recurring annual appropriation for years to come. Our students deserve it.