Hi john, I’d like to share something personal with you today because I believe there’s still stigma and a lack of understanding around mental health, and May represents Mental Health Awareness Month.
When I was a young woman in college, I had my first experience with depression. At first, I thought I was just having a bad patch. Then, my roommate said to me, “You need to figure out how to get some help.”
Thankfully, I listened. I got help.
I had the same experience with depression after I became a young mom. It was a little worse that time, but I was fortunate to have access to resources and knew I was able to get help. Not everyone has this level of access and opportunity to get the help they need — but I’m trying to change that.
john, sharing my story with depression isn’t a difficult decision. It’s a story millions of Americans have lived firsthand — either themselves or somebody else they love. I’m doing what I can to break the stigma around talking about mental health.
But it’s not just important for me to talk about it — as your Senator, I’m using my position to take action to help people get the help they need.
That’s why I helped create the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus in the U.S. Senate. I’ve also introduced legislation like the Mental Health Services for Students Act and the Pride in Mental Health Act, legislation to address the mental health crisis in our country.
If you support these efforts to expand mental healthcare access to Americans across the country, please add your name today. I’m leading the charge in the Senate to take meaningful action.
We have a moral obligation to extend a helping hand to those who need it, those who need help but might not ask for it, and those who might not even know they need help at all.
We can and must take action to address the mental health crisis — and I look forward to sharing the progress we make on this important, personal issue.
Finally, I’ll leave you with this: If you or someone you love is suffering from a mental health issue, know that you are not alone. And I’ll be fighting to get the resources and help that people need.
— Tina
