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    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Behavioral health impacts everything a person think, do, or say. Good behavioral health is important to ensure overall wellness of a person, therefore, affordable access to support is crucial for our communities. In California, over 8 million adults and children suffer from mental illness and addiction disorders and I believe that the state can do more to expand access and promote early prevention and intervention. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? I have been a proponent for improving access to mental health support, specifically, early prevention and intervention actions for youth.  This year, I introduced legislation to require that all schools provide on-campus mental health services for students.  According to research, 76 percent of youth with mental health conditions receive no or insufficient treatment.  Studies also show that school is the best place to provide mental health services for children and I believe that early prevention and intervention will be more effective.  However, my proposal was not resolved this year and I will continue to push for this policy in the upcoming year. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? A practical way to destigmatize behavioral health conditions is to raise awareness through education.  It is often due to the lack of understanding that results in harmful judgement and prejudice.  I believe we need to integrate behavioral health into our education system, our health system, and community engagement.  It is important that everyone understands the impacts of behavioral health conditions to ensure positive changes in laws, policies, and practices. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? I have been and will continue to be an advocate for behavioral health public policies that would ensure equitable access to services, improve integration of behavioral health services into our treatment system, and funding for early prevention and intervention efforts for youth. In the upcoming years, I will continue to work on these goals, especially policies to provide mental health support in schools. Early access to services helps reduce suspension and expulsion rates, tardiness, poor academic performance and problematic contact with law enforcement. School is a great place for education, increasing awareness, destigmatizing, ensuring equitable access and providing early prevention and intervention. MORE
  • full q+a
    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Behavioral health matters because it is as important as physical health, and affects everyone regardless of age, race, or wealth. The behavioral health of one individual can have an impact on their children, their spouse, their friends, and their co-workers. Behavioral health is increasingly a challenge for children and veterans. As the son of a Vietnam veteran, I saw my father go years undiagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. As a veteran myself, I am greatly concerned that 22 veterans succumb to suicide each day. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? Federal, state, county, and local officials in California need to work together toward policies and funding that would increase access to care for those with mental health and substance use challenges. In Congress, I commit to fighting to bring federal resources to California and working with local health care professionals to increase awareness and access to support services. We need to increase education on behavioral and mental health services and help make Californians aware of available care. We need to address California’s shortage of mental health professionals. I’ve heard too many stories of our college students seeking professional help, only to be told there was no availability. We also need to protect access to behavioral health coverage that was given to many through the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? Stigma and misunderstandings associated with behavioral health need to end. Behavioral health issues must be brought out of the shadows and publicly discussed. In Congress, I will use my office to raise public awareness and help eradicate the stigma associated with behavioral health. California must support open dialogue on behavioral and mental health in order to educate the public and encourage those facing behavioral health issues to seek help. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? As a veteran and son of a veteran, I understand the importance of making behavioral policy a priority. Through my foundation’s work in education, I have seen the challenges that students face. Many of our scholarship recipients want and need support services. My wife and I created the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute at George Washington University to help provide students with a support system so they could thrive in college away from home. Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting I have been a supporter of the Gifford’s Courage to Fight Gun Violence and believe that behavioral health should be included in the conversation on gun violence prevention. It is heartbreaking that guns are responsible for over 50% of suicide deaths. MORE
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