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

June 10, 2004

Napolitano Named “Legislator of the Year” by the National Mental Health Association 

Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA38) was honored today by the National Mental Health Association as a “Legislator of the Year” for her work as the Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.  Also honored were Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR).  “I want to thank the National Mental Health Association for this prestigious award and all of NMHA’s advocates across the country for all of their hard work in promoting mental health issues,” commented Napolitano.

The Congresswoman was introduced by Dick Van Horn, the Executive Director of NMHA’s Los Angeles County affiliate, who noted, “We are so lucky to have a great leader like Congresswoman Grace Napolitano to champion mental health needs.”

In accepting her award, the Congresswoman urged NMHA advocates to continue their important work.  “There is still a tremendous stigma attached to mental illness, and mental health needs — particularly of children, seniors and our veterans — are too often ignored.  We must get the message out that it is okay to seek mental health care, and we must make sure that care is available, whether through the VA, public clinics, Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance,” Napolitano emphasized.

Napolitano also discussed the Latina adolescent mental health program that she helped to spearhead and secure federal funding for in one high school and three middle schools in the 38^th district.  “This program has given schools a resource to help students with mental health needs.  It has improved student behavior and academic performance.  It has taken a burden off of teachers and allowed them to focus on teaching.   But last year its federal funding was cut, and the future of the program is now in jeopardy unless we can find another source of funding,” she explained.  The Congresswoman is actively working with Pacific Clinics, the mental health service provider for this program, to find additional funds to keep the program alive.

“There is much we can accomplish together to improve mental health care in our nation.  I look forward to continuing to work with you,” Napolitano concluded.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
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