Maggie Campbell

Candidate for Assembly, 78th District

5 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS

Why does behavioral health matter?
It matters because it is essential to the overall health of everyone. It includes promoting the well being of individuals and family members through prevention or intervening in the mental illness process which can include depression or anxiety, and substance abuse. Being in the people helping business as a professional counselor, I am committed to helping individuals to participate in their own recovery to change oneself. We can not change the past, but we can change the person it makes us.

What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges?
California lawmakers must promote legislation that will improve the access to effective mental health services for people of all ages who have a mental health or substance abuse disorder. There are many paths we can take to get there but it begins with the in-depth discussion of the realities of the mental health issues people are faced with today and it should be followed by preparation for a strong action plan that can be of great use to the people. It doesn’t end here, this would only be the beginning.

How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions?
Talk about it, openly and honestly. California politicians are oftentimes blamed for not helping to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. Actually, politicians are not mental health professionals. They simply do not know how to approach or address the issue of mental illness. I am an exception to this fact because I have been working in the mental health community for many years as well pursing office to the State Assembly in district 78 in San Diego. Because I am in this profession, I can clearly see why many Californians get upset when a tragedy happens and soon thereafter politicians begin to associate mental illness with that tragedy in the media. Fear sets in quickly and people find it easy to point the finger at someone and usually politicians are the easiest to blame.

The country looks to California like a child looks up to its parents, waiting to see what we will do next in this state. The other states often times follow our lead. Therefore, California must take the lead to destigmatize behavioral health conditions by learning as much as we can about this issue. Next California should begin speaking out with supportive methods and to encourage others to do the same with positive resolutions.

Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority?
I have always been committed to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority long before I launched my campaign for the 78^th Assembly District. That will not change.

Away from politics, I am a mental health professional. I hold a certification as a Trauma Intervention Counselor, master’s degree major is in Education [Counseling], I hold a Certification in Decolonization and I have been a Christian Counselor for more than 15 specializing in psychotherapy, narrative therapy, stress, anxiety, and other areas.

Your question

If you could ask a question for leaders about behavioral health, what would it be?

Question*
First Name*

Last Name*

Email

Zip Code*