Madison Hanson

Fargo

The North Dakota Legislature is on the verge of making a costly mistake – pouring $300 million into reviving the outdated asylum model instead of building a modern, community-based mental health system. Key stakeholders have referenced the article “Bring Back the Asylum,” while legislators eagerly discuss whether the new hospital can be expanded later. They are trying to repeat history.

For less than half the cost, North Dakota could make meaningful progress in developing a system that helps people recover where they live instead of isolating them in an institution. Proven solutions exist: regional acute care units, assertive community treatment, and residential supportive housing. Yet North Dakota has zero residential treatment programs specifically for adults with serious mental illness. As a result, people are spending decades in the state hospital, experiencing chronic homelessness or being funneled into jails. A new state hospital will not effectively break this cycle. True reform means fully developing the community-based services that deinstitutionalization originally called for, not doubling down on outdated models.

I testified before this committee as a voice for those directly impacted. I know what long-term institutionalization looks like. I know what it does to a person. It doesn’t heal – it isolates. It strips people of dignity, purpose, and hope. And without hope, recovery is nearly impossible.

My testimony wasn’t driven by administrative pressure, financial gain, or corporate interests. It was driven by a genuine commitment to the people of this state. It was evidence-based, outlining why this proposal would be disastrous- yet it was blatantly ignored. Legislators are gambling with taxpayer money on a model that has repeatedly failed to deliver effective results.

The question isn’t whether we need a state hospital for the most seriously ill. The real question is: Why aren’t we investing in solutions that actually work?

I urge the community to contact your legislators and tell them to vote NO on the new state hospital proposal. North Dakota must do better.