Congresswoman Lee Welcomes SAMHSA Assistant Secretary to Southern Nevada for Mental Health Roundtable
LAS VEGAS – This week, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) hosted a mental health roundtable at the College of Southern Nevada with Dr. Delphin-Rittmon, the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and local substance abuse prevention and mental health advocates.
Mental Health America has ranked Nevada last on its overall mental health ranking, last for youth mental health, and 40th for adult mental health. Every county in Nevada is designated as a health professional shortage area, meaning there are not enough providers to meet each county’s needs.
“As all of you know, there is a dire lack of mental health resources and a critical mental health worker shortage across Nevada. The pandemic only exacerbated Nevada’s mental health crisis and we’re still dealing with its effects,” said Congresswoman Lee. “That’s why I’ve fought for federal legislation to expand and invest in mental health services and programs to support our children at risk of drug use, addiction, and overdose. I’ve also worked on the Appropriations Committee to secure millions in funding for suicide prevention programs.”
Lee was joined by Dr. Delphin-Rittmon, the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at SAMHSA, Executive Director of PACT Coalition Jamie Ross, Mental Health Initiatives Manager of LACSN Kim Abbott, Chief Deputy District Attorney Gwynneth Smith, Assistant court administrator for the Juvenile Division in Family Court DeNeese Parker, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Bradley Donohue, and Debra Morton of the College of Southern Nevada.
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