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    3 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Behavioral health impacts us all. California needs to provide more access to care for those with mental health and substance use challenges. This is why my colleagues and I have continually pushed to increase the state’s medical reimbursement rates in an effort to increase access for all. It is also why as the former Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee I moved to decriminalize substance use charges and instead focus on creating avenues to reduce recidivism and support local rehabilitation programs. Our healthcare system as a whole is severely underfunded and unable to focus enough on prevention and early intervention. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to help solve these issues. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? This change must begin in our policy making process as well as our rhetoric around behavioral health. Although California made some strides when we passed Proposition 63, the California Mental Health Services Act in 2004, the cuts that behavioral health services experienced during the recession have never been reversed. Locally I have pushed to support local behavioral health providers especially in school settings. As former chair, and current member of, the Assembly Committee on Public Safety I have supported bills to increase training for peace officers and firefighters to recognize the signs of mental illness in order to help them respond accordingly. This year we passed a budget to provide mental health services to the homeless, children and help with criminal justice diversion. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? Yes, behavioral health is a lens we need to use to look at health policy across the board from k-12 education to public safety. We need to better understand how conversations about behavioral health can help us better craft policy solutions. MORE
  • full q+a
    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Behavioral health issues negatively affect most of us in some way. Our family members, our friends, and other members of our community face behavioral health problems on a daily basis. Behavioral health challenges are a serious and growing problem for our children and for California families. As a teacher of 30 years, I understand that it is increasingly more and important to identify these health challenges, and address them head-on. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? As a representative, it is important to provide the community with strong connections to behavioral health support services. It is also important to support individuals living with mental illnesses, and encourage them to seek help when they can. Further education regarding behavioral health issues will also help others in the community understand the difficulties of those affected by these health conditions. Community connectedness and support is important to the long-term recovery of people living with mental illnesses. It is important to bring the community together in discussions to help identify the effects these issues have on our families, and help each other seek answers. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? We must continue to promote awareness of the serious health challenges that are pervasive in the community. There are unfortunate social stigmas associated with behavioral health, and these stigmas are liable to hinder a person’s ability to seek help. California should also do more to develop the emotional well-being of our youth. Ideally this education can extend beyond the classroom and into the everyday lives of people. School-based mental health programs can focus on promoting mental wellness, preventing mental health problems, and providing treatment. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? I commit to behavioral health as a policy priority, because through the shaping of sound public policies we will garner community responses that will promote recovery and reduce the impact of behavioral health problems when they do occur. The focus of policy should be education, outreach of resources, and ensuring that needed treatments and services are available to those that need it the most. MORE
  • full q+a
    1 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? Mark Reed has made mental health his top priority in the campaign. It is an epidemic problem in his district. Mark will take an active role in solving mental health illness. Additionally, his door will be open to professionals who have suggestions how to heal this scourge on our society. MORE
  • full q+a
    4 QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
    Why does behavioral health matter? Because those with behavior health issues are people too and should be treated with respect and help when needed. MORE
    What steps should California take to increase access to care for those with mental illness and substance use challenges? As someone who grew up with a sibling who had substance abuse issues what worked was treating like a problem to be solved, not a crime to be punished. As a parent who has had a child working through behavioral issues the quality of the school district that we live in and their capacity to help has been key to working past those issues and giving real solutions for moving forward. These capabilities, by the school, need to be available even in districts that are not as well off. MORE
    How can California lead the way in destigmatizing behavioral health conditions? Exposure. Showing that people who have to deal with these issues are part of our society, different yes, but not less. MORE
    Will you commit to embracing behavioral health as a public policy priority? Having it already impact my life, my child's life and our family's life, even if we have been lucky enough to be able to work through most of them, gives me a connection and a need to help those in these situations. MORE
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