Dear friends,
October is National Mental Health Screening Month, and today, October 10, is World Mental Health Day. As a trained social worker, the mental health of our communities matters to me, and I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about it.
Chip in $20.20 to elect a mental health advocate →
The year 2020 has been a perfect storm for our nation’s mental health. COVID-19 has raised feelings of grief, fear, and isolation; unemployment has stripped many of health care and stability; social distancing has separated us from loved ones and routines; and the tumultuous cultural and political climate is not helping.
For people with and without histories of mental illness, these profound stressors have prompted episodes of depression, anxiety, OCD, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other challenges.
I recognize this as a public health emergency.
I am running for Congress to fight for your health and wellbeing, which starts with urgently addressing our nation’s mental health crisis. These are my four core priorities for mental health:
- Mental health care is health care. Any conversation must begin with a commitment to affordable health care for all.
- Mental health care is for veterans. We need to undo the damage done to the VA by partisans like Jeff Fortenberry, and lower the rates of PTSD, addiction, and suicide among Nebraska’s veterans.
- Mental health care is a career. 94.6% of Nebraska’s counties have too few mental health professionals. We need to employ incentives like student loan relief to make our district an attractive place to study and work in mental health.
- Mental health care is not a secret. The shame and stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction cause far too many people to suffer in silence and avoid seeking help. It’s time to change the conversation.
The leaders we elect today will see us out of 2020 and into an unknown future. If you would like me to fight for these four core priorities and beyond, please consider making a contribution to my campaign for Congress. Every dollar really counts at this point in the race.
On this World Mental Health Day, check in with a friend who might be struggling, or check in with yourself about your wellbeing and needs. Asking for help is a truly brave act.
Thank you for all that you do. I would be honored to advocate for you in Congress.
Together,
Kate Bolz
|
