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Mental Health:

Ensuring access to mental health care is one of Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano’s top priorities. Unfortunately, there is an enormous unmet need for mental health services throughout the nation and the 38th Congressional District. Young people, Hispanics, seniors, veterans — countless groups are not getting the mental health care that they need.

In late 1999, during a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Health Task Force meeting, information was represented from a recent study – The State of Hispanic Girls - that warranted immediate action. Nearly one in three Latina adolescents had seriously considered suicide -- the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group in the country! The same study also shows that fewer treatment and prevention services reach them than reach any other racial or ethnic group.

Responding to this data, Napolitano spearheaded a school-based Latina adolescent mental health program. Over the last three years, she has secured $1.6 million for this program, through which Pacific Clinics places counselors in three local middle schools and one high school. The program has served over 100 students, one quarter of whom had previous suicide attempts.

Recognizing that this problem exists throughout our nation, Napolitano drafted legislation to deal primarily with the suicide crisis through a school-based, mental health services delivery system pilot project. This proposal is now part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’s comprehensive Hispanic health bill.

Napolitano has also founded and currently co-chairs the Congressional Mental Health Caucus with Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA). There is a wide array of mental health issues that must be dealt with in a bipartisan fashion by dedicated Members of Congress working together with the mental health advocacy community. More than 70 members from both parties have joined the Caucus, and one of the Caucus’s top priorities is addressing the mental health needs of our nation’s veterans.

In 2003, Congresswoman Napolitano secured $500,000 to pursue a school-based Latina adolescent mental health project run by Latina Mental Health.

38th District Health Consortium:

For information on Congresswoman Napolitano's Health Consortium, click here.

Related Documents:

 

 

Related News:

Mental Health Napolitano Praises Medicare Bill for Increasing Access to Mental Health Services (6/24/2008)

Mental Health Napolitano Introduces Legislation Expanding School-Based Mental Health Services (8/3/2007)

Mental Health SAMHSA Administrator Dr. Terry Cline Meets With Congresswoman Napolitano (6/22/2007)

Mental Health Napolitano Introduces Resolution Observing May 2007 as Mental Health Month (4/26/2007)

Mental Health Napolitano Joins Colleagues on Introduction of Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (3/7/2007)

Mental Health Napolitano Joins Colleagues on Nationwide Tour to Promote Mental Health and Addiction Equity Bill (2/13/2007)

May 11, 2005 – Napolitano Promotes Early Intervention for Mental Illness

November 21, 2003 – Napolitano’s Veterans’ Mental Health and Job Services Provisions Pass House and Senate 

November 05, 2003 – Napolitano Introduces “Veterans Mental Health and Back-to-Work Act”

October 02, 2003 – Napolitano Introduces Resolution Urging Action on Mental Health

September 22, 2003 – Napolitano Urges Expansion of Medicare Mental Health Coverage

February 28, 2003 – Funding for Latina Adolescent Mental Health Program

February 20, 2003 – Napolitano Secures Funds for the 38th District

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