For Immediate Release                                       Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
February 28, 2003

Napolitano Secures Funding for Latina Adolescent Mental Health Program

Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA38) announced that she has secured federal funding through the appropriations process for the third consecutive year for the school-based Latina adolescent mental health program in the 38th Congressional District. “The $500,000 that this project will receive for FY2003 will maintain these critical mental health services for students in our schools,” stated Napolitano.

The program currently operates out of four local schools—Bassett High School in La Puente, Lake Center Middle School in Santa Fe Springs, Los Alisos Middle School in Norwalk and North Park Middle School in Pico Rivera. Services are coordinated and provided by Pacific Clinics. “This program has addressed a wide range of urgent mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, suicide, substance abuse and violence prevention. Of the 105 students receiving services, almost one quarter reported a previous suicide attempt. Many of them—23%—have no health insurance and would have no access to mental health care with out this program,” explained the Congresswoman.

A 1999 report entitled “The State of Hispanic Girls” by the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations found that 1 in 3 Latina adolescents have seriously considered suicide—the highest rate among all racial and ethnic groups in that age bracket. When presented to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the report led to Napolitano’s creation of this program. A more recent Columbia University study reaffirmed that Hispanic teens have the highest rates of suicidal thoughts for all teen groups. “I could not ignore this enormous unmet need,” commented Napolitano. Although the program is geared toward Latinas, no student in need is turned away.

This year, Napolitano has joined with Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) to form and co-chair the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. “We need to bring together Members of Congress to work on this issue, raise awareness, and develop and pursue legislation to provide greater access to mental health services,” noted the Congresswoman. The Caucus will hold a kick-off press conference to discuss their specific goals at a later date.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
1609 Longworth Building          Washington, DC 20515          Phone 202-225-5256          Fax 202-225-0027		11627 East Telegraph Road, #100       Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670       Phone 562-801-2134       Fax 562-949-9144
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