OPINION: Congressional progress on mental health, addiction; more action needed
As many of you know, addressing the mental health and addiction crisis has been one of my top priorities as your Member of Congress. When I first took office in January 2023, Oregon was ranked second-to-last in the nation in terms of access to mental health services and dead last for the widespread prevalence of mental illness. About 27% of adults in Oregon reported suffering from mental health challenges – which is 6% higher than the national average.
It's clear why this issue is especially relevant for our state, but I want to emphasize that the mental health and addiction crisis isn’t just an Oregon problem. This is a problem that affects every corner of our nation – from big cities to small towns – and has wide-ranging impacts on us all. I should know: Several members of my own family have struggled with alcoholism and mental illness. I have experienced the pain of watching your loved ones suffer and not knowing how to help them, and I am sure some of you reading this now have felt that pain, too.
I came to Congress aiming to end the cycle of mental illness and addiction crisis once and for all. I’m proud to say that, over the last two years, I’ve made real progress toward that goal.
I have introduced eight mental health-related bills of my own and cosponsored dozens more. That includes legislation to deliver three free mental health visits per year for seniors and low-income families, expand access to telehealth in rural communities, provide more support for students who have lived through adverse or traumatic experiences, and create a new scholarship program to help grow our mental and behavioral health workforce, among other policies. My early work on mental and behavioral health issues led to a leadership role as Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus, which is a bipartisan working group of Members who share my dedication to tackling the mental health and addiction crisis. Instead of getting caught up in partisan rhetoric, our Caucus is focused on solutions – and it shows. Our Members have introduced about 200 bills during the 118th Congress alone that will address various pieces of the mental health puzzle, from helping veterans get the care they deserve to combatting stigma in Latino and immigrant communities.
Beyond championing legislation, I have built strong relationships with mental health advocates and treatment professionals at both the national and local levels. I believe it’s important to maintain an open dialogue with experts who have a deep understanding of the problems we face and what it will take to solve them. Following the repeal of Measure 110, I visited every county in my district to meet with advocates, law enforcement officers, and local elected officials about the realities they are experiencing and how I can support them as a federal partner. I learned a lot during my listening tour and have turned those conversations into tangible actions, including efforts to expand the capacity of our in-patient treatment facilities. I plan on introducing this legislation when Congress re-convenes in the new year. Additionally, I have hosted several members of the Biden Administration here in Oregon to discuss mental health and addiction issues. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra joined me last August to talk about fostering a strong mental health workforce and raising awareness about the dangers of opioids in our schools. In April, I joined Mr. Tom Coderre, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to visit two community health centers in McMinnville. We discussed the important role that these centers play in providing health care – including mental health care – regardless of someone’s ability to pay.
I know full well that there is more to be done, and we may face roadblocks in the months and years ahead. However, I remain committed as ever to reaching across the aisle and working with anyone who – like me – is willing to ignore the noise, put their nose to the ground, and get to work. That is exactly what I’ve done throughout my first term, and I look forward to building on the progress we’ve made and continuing to deliver for Oregonians next Congress.
This editorial was written by Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) for Pamplin Media Group. It published on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.