Mental illness has become increasingly prevalent throughout our society. It is estimated that one in five adults already suffer from a mental health condition each year. The situation has undoubtedly worsened with twice as many adults now reportedly struggling with their mental health due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Mental health issues are soaring at an all-time high for adults and children alike. Unfortunately, Minnesota lacks the magnitude of mental health services necessary to appropriately care for all these patients in need, resulting in numerous heartbreaking stories across the state. People in mental health crises frequently go to local emergency departments, desperately seeking help, only to find themselves languishing in emergency rooms for days, even weeks, waiting for an inpatient psychiatric bed to open. This devastating practice is known as “boarding.”

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