#  "Removing Barriers to Mental Health Services in Ohio" a Memo from The Buckeye Institute 

 





May 26, 2021

 

 

- [ Blog ](/news-categories/blog)
 
 

 

 Memo reviewed by Daniel Estupiñan, HKS MPP, Amy Mahler, HKS MPA/MC, and Katie Wesdyk, HKS MPP

   ![Mental Health](/sites/g/files/omnuum8096/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/policymemos/files/mental-health-2019924_1920.jpg?itok=R3gGIEa5) 

 

 The Buckeye Institute provided a **[memo](/file_url/133)** recommending the removal of barriers to mental health services in Ohio. A case is made to recognize out-of-state practitioners permanently to provide mental health support, but lacks a clear connection from problem to proposed solution.

 **The short memo immediately identifies a recommendation before introducing the problem.** The problem statement provided in the background fails to address how mental health has been harmed and the impact expected after the pandemic. **The memo’s persuasiveness is constrained by a lack of data, story, or decision-making technique.** The bulk of the memo is background, explaining why the regulation change was made during the pandemic without providing any justification for why the regulation should continue.

 **The memo’s tone is relatively formal, with the language effectively informing the reader about the statutory and regulatory background of licensure programs**. It does so without using jargon that could restrict the accessibility of the information to stakeholders outside of healthcare policy. **The memo’s writing is also clear and effectively summarizes complex concepts in mental health services, which many struggle to access.**

 **The solution, however, is presented without considering other options.** The recommendation feels broad, not identifying what problems it would solve. **While the context of the pandemic is clear, who and how this recommendation can be applied to is unclear.** Is this policy recommendation for Ohioans newly returned home to be able to practice? For app-based telehealth practitioners to help patients in Ohio? One would have to read between the lines to determine this exact context—not helpful during a crisis.



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Memo Review ](/category/memo-review)
- [ Public Health ](/memo-topics/public-health)
- [ Persuasion ](/style/persuasion)
- [ Persuasion ](/topics/taxonomy-persuasion)
- [ Policy Problem ](/topics/policy-problem)
 
 

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