In an era defined by political polarization and divisive partisan gridlock, some might be surprised to see local leaders set aside their differences to work toward a common purpose. Far from the headlines of national dysfunction, what I’ve seen firsthand throughout my service on Knoxville City Council is the resilience of our democracy.
Rejecting Washington-style politics is a necessity in local governance because leaders can’t pass their governing responsibilities on to lower-level authorities, and community progress requires collaboration between neighbors with different perspectives.
Becky Massey, Richard Briggs and Randy McNally bring state-level support
Locally as well as nationally, the need for expanded mental health services is clear when we consider that one in five Americans deal with a mental health condition and about half of us will experience a diagnosable mental health condition during our lifetimes. Recently, a study by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, requested by state Sens. Becky Massey, Richard Briggs and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, confirmed that Knoxville needs a mental health hospital. The progress made on this crucial project exemplifies how leaders can work toward a common purpose for the well-being of those they represent.
The first step was taken in February 2022 at Knoxville City Council’s annual retreat. This was City Council’s first retreat in two years, following the COVID-19 pandemic, and my first opportunity to organize council’s annual retreat during my two-year term as vice mayor. As council members expressed their interest in goals for the coming year, the discussion moved toward an increasing need to enhance mental health services in our community.
Council member Lauren Rider expressed her frustration about our community’s pressing need for additional mental health services and the pressure to address these increasing needs within the confines of a city-sized budget. It was clear that addressing the complexity of mental health care would require involvement and support across jurisdictional boundaries, so council agreed to host a workshop with county and state legislative partners to better understand available services and identify gaps we could address together.
Over the past two years, Knox County Commission Chair Richie Beeler and Sen. Massey have been indispensable and enthusiastic champions of not only helping organize our joint workshops on mental health but securing support from their legislative colleagues. With their leadership, a first-of-its-kind joint mental health workshop was held in May 2022 with members of Knoxville City Council, Knox County Commission and our Knox County delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.
Request made to fund, staff local long-term inpatient mental health services for uninsured
To continue to explore this important topic in August 2023, another joint mental health workshop was held to expand the collaborative effort. Ensuring a seamless transition between commission chairs, Courtney Durrett proved to be an eager supporter of the second workshop as well as a vital partner in progressing the initiative. Following the 2023 workshop, Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission passed resolutions individually with the same language requesting the Knox County delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly advocate and coordinate with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to, among other things, fund and staff local long-term inpatient mental health services for the uninsured in Knoxville.
Our focused community attention has confirmed the need, but our work together must continue to make this much-needed mental health hospital a reality in Knoxville. Playing a role in this process has reinforced my belief that great things can happen when we work together. Ultimately, lasting achievements are dependent on leaders dedicated to making progress and improving the lives of those they serve, and it is an honor to serve with my fellow public servants.
Andrew Roberto is a member of Knoxville City Council representing the 2nd District.
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