DES MOINES, Iowa (WACH / AP) -- Dozens of states have slashed spending on mental health care over the last four years, either because of the recession's toll on revenue or a new zeal to shrink government.

But that trend may be heading for a U-turn in 2013 after last year's shooting rampages by two mentally disturbed gunmen.

The reversal is especially jarring in statehouses dominated by conservative Republicans, who aggressively cut welfare programs but now find themselves caught in a crosscurrent of pressures involving gun control, public safety and health care for millions of disadvantaged Americans.

Shelley Chandler is executive director of the Iowa Alliance of Community Providers. She says lawmakers in some states have begun to recognize that their cuts "may have gone too deep."

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley posted a message regarding both gun control and mental health to her Facebook page Wednesday afternoon:

"As a CWP holder, I am pro 2nd amendment and pro 10th amendment and will defend both. I would support open carry and reciprocity with any other state. The horrible shootings we have seen over the past few years have been related to individuals with mental health so my administration went right to the source. My first year in office we dramatically increased funding to mental health by $16 mill the first year and $11 mill this past budget. I am committed to helping those with mental health issues get the help they need while defending our 2nd amendment."

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)