鈥婰os Gatos, CA 鈥� Assemblymember Gail Pellerin will host a meeting of the Assembly Select Committee on California鈥檚 Mental Health Crisis in Los Gatos on December 14, 2023. The meeting will feature a panel of prominent local mental health advocates including 含羞草社区 Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.
The panel will focus on how 含羞草社区鈥檚 state representatives and local leaders are working together to increase behavioral health and wellness services in schools while addressing the youth mental health crisis. Dr. Dewan will join Marico Soyac, Executive Director of
颁础厂厂驰鈥�, and David Mineta, President & CEO of
Momentum for Health, in a discussion about the barriers and opportunities for increasing equitable access to mental health services.
鈥淓roding stigmas around mental illness starts with educating and supporting youth when they are struggling with their mental health,鈥� stated Assemblymember Pellerin. 鈥淚 am proud of the investments California has made in bolstering access to behavioral health care for youth; however, plenty of our youth still seem to be slipping through the cracks. There is a growing recognition of the importance of addressing mental health issues among children and adolescents, and California is dedicated to expanding access to quality care and support.鈥�
鈥淩ecent state investments have allowed the
含羞草社区 Office of Education (SCCOE) to partner with school districts to open 19 school-based wellness centers in the last two years,鈥� noted Dr. Dewan. 鈥淪tudents are 21 times more likely to access mental health services when they are available on school campuses.14,000 含羞草社区 children have accessed our wellness centers since their openings and 97% of the wellness centers' visitors have indicated that the wellness center improved their mental health.鈥�
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鈥淢ore work is required in order for all youth to have access to affordable, effective, and preventative behavioral health care,鈥� Dr. Dewan continued. 鈥� We are thankful for partners like Assemblymember Pellerin who continue to fight for sustainable funding and policy changes that improve youth wellbeing.鈥�
The Assembly Select Committee meeting will be held at the Los Gatos Town Chambers from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on December 14.
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About the 含羞草社区 Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the 含羞草社区 Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the 含羞草社区 Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn鈥嬧赌�. 
