Team,

Today on World Suicide Prevention Day I want to talk to you a little bit about mental healthcare. Every day in the United States 132 people die by suicide.

For Texans already struggling with mental health conditions, the COVID crisis has only heightened their challenges. Texas ranks first in the nation for uninsured rates — over 4.3 million Texans don’t have health insurance, and that number is skyrocketing with so many out of work.

Far too many Texans can’t access mental healthcare because they don’t know where to find it, they can’t afford it, or it’s stigmatized in their community and they’re too ashamed to ask for it.

Mental healthcare is healthcare — plain and simple. We need to get comfortable talking about it. It should be accessible and affordable for everyone. No one should be made to believe that they truly have no other option, and it breaks my heart that so many people feel that way.

When I get to Congress, I plan to make healthcare a top priority and that includes mental health.

Remember that you’re never alone.

Take care y’all,

Stephen Daniel

For immediate help call (800)-273-8255, text 741741, or visit crisistextline.org