Representative Salinas Becomes Co-Chair of Mental Health Caucus
Washington, DC –Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) announced that she is taking on a new leadership role as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Mental Health Caucus. Rep. Salinas will lead the Caucus along with Reps. Grace Napolitano (CA-31) and Don Beyer (VA-08).
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“Throughout her career, Congresswoman Napolitano has been a leading voice in the fight to raise awareness and improve access to mental health care in America,” said Rep. Salinas.“With that in mind, I am so grateful that Congresswoman Napolitano has asked me to serve as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and to carry on her legacy. This is a great honor and a responsibility I do not take lightly. Addressing the mental health crisis is one of my top priorities, and I look forward to continuing that important work in this new leadership role."
"I am thrilled to announce Congressman Beyer and Congresswoman Salinas have agreed to serve as Co-Chairs of our Mental Health Caucus,” said Rep. Napolitano. “We have made great strides as a Caucus for nearly two decades, and I look forward to our continued work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, raise the visibility for mental health reforms, and find solutions to improve mental health care and delivery of services to all in need. I know the future of the Mental Health Caucus is in good hands with Reps. Beyer and Salinas, and I am so very grateful to each of them for their willingness to lead.”
“Two out of five adults report symptoms of anxiety or depression, and suicide is among the leading causes of death in the U.S.,” said Rep. Beyer. “The ongoing mental health crisis affects all of us – our families, our friends, and our neighbors – irrespective of age, background, or profession, and there is more we can do in Congress to address this crisis. I’m honored to join Congresswomen Napolitano and Salinas as co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, and I look forward to building upon the Caucus’ efforts to address this pressing issue. Everyone deserves access to quality mental health care and the support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives – and our work will seek to accomplish that.”
Rep. Salinas has introduced several bills to improve access to mental health care. Notably, she introduced the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act, which would provide three free behavioral health visits per year for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, as well as two bills that would expand access to peer support programs for mental health and substance use issues. In February 2023, Rep. Salinas announced her Mental Health Monday initiative, a weekly program that shines a spotlight on mental health. Through floor speeches, social media posts, and messages sent directly to Oregonians, Rep. Salinas is working to ensure that mental health remains part of the national dialogue – and a top priority for Congress. She is also a co-founder of the bipartisan Rural Health Caucus that seeks to address health care gaps in rural communities, especially related to mental health care.
To learn more about Rep. Salinas’ work to expand access to mental health care, click here.
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