May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May 11, 2023


 
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Dear Neighbor,
 
For the past 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.

If you or someone you know is mentally struggling, please know that you are not alone and no-cost help is available by phone, when and if it's needed. 
Crisis Hotlines Save Lives
  • Maternal Mental Health Hotline - 1-833-943-5746
  • Native Crisis Text Line (American Indians and Alaska Natives) - Text "Native" to 741741
  • LGBTQI+ Youth Support - 9-8-8, then press 3 when prompted
  • Specialized Crisis Support for Spanish Speakers - 9-8-8, then press 2 when prompted 
  • You can also call 2-1-1 for assistance
 
Mental Health America (and its state branch Mental Health Connecticut) invites you to "Look Around, Look Within." Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health. From neighborhood to genetics, many factors come into play when it comes to mental health conditions. 

While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being and those around you. To learn more, visit mhanational.org/may. 
In 2022, the Connecticut legislature passed three transformative mental health measures.
 
The three laws – HB 5001, SB 1, and SB 2 – strengthen Connecticut's mental and behavioral health system, which experienced unprecedented strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. These laws:
  • Expand 24/7 emergency mental health response and create walk-ins for mental health emergencies
  • Address shortages of mental health staff in our schools by offering grants to local schools to hire social workers, counselors, and psychologists
  • Provide mental health training to parents, students, and pediatricians
  • Expand school-based health centers to develop mental health programming
  • Create a state oversight and coordination of a state response to kids' mental health needs

It is more important than ever that we continue to invest in mental health. As state legislatures across the country cut funding for these vital services, in Connecticut, we chose to make critical investments in mental health for our state’s future.
House Passes Resolution Approving Constitutional Amendment to Allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting
Connecticut's rules for absentee voting are among the most restrictive in the U.S. and are enshrined in its constitution. A constitutional amendment is required to remove restrictions on absentee voting. 

Absentee voting works, which we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effective and safe manner.

Voting is a fundamental American right. Eligible voters in Connecticut should have the freedom to choose how they vote whether it’s in-person on Election Day, in-person for two weeks prior to Election Day, which just passed the House last week, or by absentee ballot without needing to provide an excuse.
Session Recap
Missed coverage of our recent sessions? Here's a quick recap of some of the bills that were passed. 
  • In HB 6638, we modernize and improve consistency in CT's discrimination statutes. 
  • HB 6877 strengthens the process and execution of risk protection orders (RPOs) to keep weapons out of the hands of those at imminent risk of injuring themselves or someone else. 
  • The House approved pro-consumer legislation in HB 6614…Gas stations that offer cash discounts should offer the same discount if you pay with a debit card.
  • The evolving cannabis market needs evolving regulations. That's why we approved HB 6699. Unregulated high-THC products have been legally sold in CT outside of our strict cannabis marketplace. This practice will end under new legislation approved by the House. 
  • We approved HB 6569. The bill protects children by banning marriage under the age of 18
Come Join Me to Help Stamp Out Hunger this Saturday Afternoon!
Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America collect the goodness and compassion of their postal customers, who participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive — the largest one-day food drive in the nation. The drive has delivered more than 1.82 billion pounds of food the past 30 years. Carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters. To donate, just place a box or can of non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivers mail this Saturday. The carrier will do the rest. The food is sorted, and delivered to an area food bank or pantry, where it is available for needy families.
 
Then, meet me at Person to Person in Norwalk this Saturday at 3:30 pm to join me in helping them process the donations - and we can talk about what's on your mind while we help out our community! It will be a different kind of constituent meetup this month where we can help the one in ten Americans who face hunger every day – see you there!
Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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