Young people from underserved communities—namely people with Black, brown, disabled, and/or LGBTQ+ identities—prefer community-based programs and peer networks over formal mental health services delivered in clinical settings.
Isha Weerasinghe was quoted: “At the time that ARPA came out, we were really trying to figure out, as a country, how the mental health, behavioral health systems could be bolstered, because, in my opinion, the systems are really broken."
In this op-ed, CLASP's Isha Weerasinghe explains why the Senate must pass the Build Back Better Act with the critical Momnibus maternal mental health equity investments that passed in the House of Representatives.
The horrific violence in Atlanta this week on Asian American women is unconscionable, could have been prevented, and reveals gaping holes in how we protect each other as a society.
As the 117th Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration begin their terms, they must identify why the current mental and behavioral health infrastructure does and will not work to meet the needs of millions, and push innovative and bold ideas that put people’s well-being first.
Isha Weerasinghe was quoted, saying that "poor support for mental health in many communities has been made worse during the pandemic. She cited a lack of connectedness due to isolation, economic hardships, increased stress due to police brutality and its impacts, and anti-Asian violence and bullying."