Skip to Content

Questions & Answers

filters
  • full q+a
    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? As someone who received my Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford, I understand the relevance of behavioral health for our society. When people feel isolated from others or socially unsupported, it takes a toll on their families, their workplaces, and ultimately on all of us. We need to support behavioral health so that our society may thrive. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? We should demand funding for Congress to meet our caregiving needs. If Congress can fun unlimited wars, it can most certainly afford to provide mental health and substance use rehabilitation resources to veterans, families, seniors, and all others affected by Congress' war economy. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? We need broad education programs to teach people how to help others. We need a culture of psychological safety wherein everyone feels valued, regardless of their behavioral health status. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? I fully support funding behavioral health research as well as translating it into public policy with broad supporting programs. MORE
  • full q+a
    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Behavioral health matters because it affects everyone - not only the one diagnosed. It even goes beyond friends and family to include community and society. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? According to the National Academy of Science, almost 30% of American adults have either a mental health or substance abuse disorder. California should explore the development of a new payment approach that recognizes the cost of managing the care of patients who have interacting medical and behavioral health conditions as most patients with severe medical conditions also experience mental health problems. California should also explore investing in programs to expand and diversify the clinical workforce to improve service to our underserved communities. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? Educate the public that a behavioral health condition is a disease similar to cancer and diabetes. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? Yes, absolutely. MORE
  • full q+a
    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Lack of recognition, funding, and care for mental and behavioral health is at crisis level in our country. Behavioral health is a critical part of a person’s health, and impacts the person’s life, wellbeing, livelihood, and medical health, as well as the health and safety of family members and the wider community. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? Health insurance plans (both public and private) should be required to include mental health care and substance abuse care. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? The War on Drugs has been a colossal failure and created the conditions that have led to the current opioid epidemic. We need to fundamentally change how we approach the issues of mental health and addiction. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? Behavioral health is an area of public policy which is already a priority for me. MORE
  • full q+a
    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Mental and behavioral health care far too often considered separate from physical health, which not only makes seeking treatment more complicated, but also contributes to the stigma. Unfortunately, when ignored and left untreated, mental and behavioral health conditions can cause a whole host of lifestyle difficulties including homelessness and hunger. With proper treatment and care, the vast majority of individuals who suffer from mental and behavioral health conditions can experience much needed relief and live healthy, productive lives. Health care can and should treat the whole person. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? First and foremost, California and the federal government should create parity between mental and behavioral health and traditional medical care. We must ensure that all patients have access to the care they need to live healthy lives. This means increasing funding to essential research at the NIH and CDC; increasing prevention and early warning programs; developing and expanding access to treatment programs; and destigmatizing mental and behavioral health conditions. There is no easy fix to these challenges, but if we provide the resources necessary we can reduce substance abuse, and relieve mental and behavioral health patients of many of the burdens they currently experience. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? Destigmatizing behavioral health is no simple task. It will require an overarching change in the way that society and the medical community consider and view overall health; but California can indeed lead the way. California should introduce mental and behavioral health parity in health care to ensure patients have access to needed resources. Additionally, California should implement health classes in schools that teach children that those with mental and behavioral health are not lesser or different, and should be treated with equality and respect. California can also take steps to empower individuals with mental and behavioral health conditions by increasing access to job training and employment opportunities that are accessible and allow people to live as part of our communities. MORE
    Why does behavioral health matter? I have always been a strong supporter of funding and programs that destigmatize mental and behavioral health, and create opportunities for those who have mental and behavioral health conditions. I firmly support mental and behavioral health parity, and will work with my colleagues in Congress, and at the state and local level where appropriate, to improve the way we view, diagnose, treat, and discuss mental and behavioral health. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything else. MORE
  • full q+a
    1 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? I’m a strong advocate and proponent for mental and behavioral health. I grew up learning early on about mental and behavioral health in my mom’s office, who was a provider of mental health services as a therapist, and also advocated for alternative options for mental health patients who were incarcerated. I also worked in special education, for many years, in the public school system. My undergraduate degree is in Human Services with an emphasis in education and mental health. MORE
LOAD MORE
Back to top