Congresswoman Matsui Attends White House National Conference on Mental Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 3, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Attends White House National Conference on Mental Health
Dialogue will continue in select cities, including a July 20th event in Sacramento
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) attended the White House National Conference on Mental Health, hosted by President Obama and Vice President Biden. At the Conference, the White House kicked off a national dialogue on mental health care. This dialogue will be continued in select cities across the country, including Sacramento.
"For too long our mental health safety net has faced tremendous stressors across the country. It is long past time for mental health to be treated on a level playing field with the rest of our nation's healthcare system," said Congresswoman Matsui. "The Creating Community Solutions initiative as part of the National Conversation on Mental Health will put in motion important nationwide conversations about how to address the inadequacies in the mental health system. Our region has been a leader in investing in mental health care, and it is fitting that this dialogue will begin here in Sacramento."
The Sacramento event is being funded by a broad base of California health foundations that recognize the importance of improving mental health care. The event will be held on July 20th at the Sacramento Convention Center, and is free to attend.
Congresswoman Matsui has been actively working to strengthen the mental health safety net, both in Sacramento and nationwide. In March, she introduced H.R. 1263, the Excellence in Mental Health Act. This bipartisan legislation would address our nation's fragmented mental health system by strengthening America's community mental health centers. She has also hosted several mental health roundtables in Sacramento in conjunction with Senator Steinberg, bringing together local, state and federal stakeholders to discuss opportunities in improving mental health care.
"The federal government must step up and protect the mental health safety net, which has faced tremendous struggles across the country," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Members on both sides of the aisle recognize that now is the time to bolster funding and services for mental health care and ensure all Americans have access to the treatment they need. If we continue to shine a light on the issue and bring together those who are in a position to make changes, I am confident that we can make great strides toward ensuring everyone has access to the mental health care they need."
###