Madison Hanson, Fargo

Minot should be deeply concerned about the proposal to build a $400 million state hospital in Jamestown. As a Master of Social Work student specializing in public policy, I see a critical misalignment between this plan and the needs of the Minot community. Instead of investing in a distant facility, we should repurpose the vacant hospital buildings in Minot to establish behavioral health units that prioritize community-based care.

Forcing residents to travel to Fargo or Jamestown for mental health services deprives them of the essential local support networks that are so crucial for recovery.

Additionally, the Jamestown facility is already struggling with staffing shortages. Continuing to centralize care in a new facility will not address the growing mental health needs of North Dakota. Residents in the North Central region deserve timely, community-driven care that respects their geographic realities.

If we fail to advocate for local solutions now, Minot risks losing its status as one of North Dakota’s key cities. We must reimagine mental health care as a community-centered responsibility. By transforming Minot’s abandoned hospitals into behavioral health services, we can offer residents the care they need right in their own community. It’s time for Minot to prioritize the well-being of its people and reflect on the future it wishes to see.