Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Addressing Our Mental Health Crisis


Photo of the Week:

During my visit to the Fayetteville VA Medical Center, I had the opportunity to speak to some of our nation’s active-duty military who were spending time visiting with veterans. I truly enjoyed getting to know these men and women and hear their thoughts on how we can improve care for our veterans.

This past week, I had the opportunity to speak with many constituents about the mental health crisis happening here in our own state. In North Carolina, there are approximately 335,000 adults who are living with serious mental illness; however, our state only provides services to approximately 34 percent of them. Much of this has to do with a shortage of psychiatric services available and complications that have arisen from HIPAA laws.

On Tuesday I hosted a mental health roundtable in Fayetteville so that I could hear directly from constituents and medical and psychiatric professionals from around the state. My good friend Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) joined me so that we could discuss legislation he introduced called the “Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act,” which seeks to drastically improve our nation’s mental health system. Hearing first-hand from families about their daily struggles and listening to their suggestions allowed me to gain a better understanding of the work we need to be doing to fix this broken system. Be sure to look at the articles The Fayetteville Observer and the Raleigh News & Observer wrote on the roundtable event.

I also had the opportunity to tour the Fayetteville VA this week. It was great hearing directly from the facility’s representatives on how they are growing and expanding their site to accommodate more of our honorable veterans. This visit also gave me the opportunity to follow up with them and ask questions since learning of the problems plaguing many of our country’s VA hospitals. Making sure that our veterans receive the quality care they have earned is one of my top priorities, and I will continue to demand accountability for problems many veterans have experienced.

It’s been a jam-packed week in the district, but I have loved meeting with so many constituents. I hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and see more of what I’ve done at home.

It’s truly an honor to be your voice in Congress, and I hope you’ll touch base with my Asheboro, Dunn or D.C. staff if you have any concerns or questions.

 


Mental Health Roundtable:

Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) and I had the opportunity to listen and answer questions during this week’s mental health roundtable. I am a cosponsor of Congressman Murphy’s bill, H.R. 3717, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.

 

Participants who attended the roundtable represented a variety of viewpoints on this issue. We heard from mental health care professionals, medical experts, law enforcement officials, active military, veterans and parents of loved ones who have seen the first-hand effects of mental illness.

 

It was so important for Rep. Murphy and I to hear directly from experts and families who have seen the effects of mental illness. I believe his legislation, H.R. 3717, is a great step in addressing this crisis.

 

Local law enforcement also shared their perspective on the unfolding mental health crisis, as they too work with many who suffer from it.

 


N.C. Veterans Court

I enjoyed visiting North Carolina’s first veterans treatment court, which opened in Harnett County last November. Veterans treatment courts give many veterans who have and are suffering from substance abuse or mental health problems a second chance by allowing them to work with VA representatives.

 


Fayetteville VA Visit:

Visiting the Fayetteville VA Medical Center provided the chance for me to meet with doctors and medical experts and learn how our community is assisting and supporting our veterans.

 

During my visit, I viewed a powerpoint on the services available for veterans and learned of plans for new additions to the facility. My time here was also a great opportunity to follow up with questions on the lengthy wait-times many veterans have experienced.

Central Carolina Hospital:

David Loving, CEO of Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, and I met this week when I participated in a roundtable discussion with him and other hospital leaders. It was a great opportunity to hear about some of the issues facing hospitals and the health care industry in our community.