Megan Phillips

Megan Phillips earned a bachelor's degree from Lewis & Clark College in 2007 and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Pacific University in 2012. Phillips' career experience includes working as a clinical psychologist.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dr. Megan Phillips is a licensed clinical psychologist, behavioral health executive, and proud Overland Park mom running for Kansas House District 8. She moved her family here for the exceptional public schools and has seen firsthand how strong education and mental health resources transform lives. Working within the Kansas state hospital system, she witnesses daily how underfunded mental health care fails Kansans who need help. She is running to protect public education from efforts to defund special education, expand mental health services, and ensure every Kansas family has the support it needs to thrive.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Strong public schools are the foundation of our communities, and I'm committed to protecting them. I've seen firsthand how much our schools, teachers, and programs mean to families. But too often, they're asked to do more with less — and that's not good enough. We can do better for our students, our educators, and our communities.Strong, safe communities don't happen by accident — they require real investment and real leadership. As a psychologist working in Kansas, I see every day how deeply public safety, mental health, and access to care affect families. Right now, too many people are falling through the cracks, and our communities are paying the price. We can do better, and we must do better.I will fight for openness within our government by advocating for the elimination of anonymous legislation and for the recording of all legislative votes. Constituents need to be informed about how their legislators are representing them so that their voices can be heard.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mental health is my deepest passion — both professionally and personally. As a licensed clinical psychologist working in the Kansas state hospital system, I see every day what happens when people can't access the care they need. Kansas ranks near the bottom nationally for mental health funding, and the human cost of that failure is real. Untreated mental illness strains our emergency rooms, our jails, and our families. I believe that investing in mental health care is not just a compassionate choice — it is a fiscally responsible one. Every Kansan deserves access to care when they need it.