As a social worker, I have seen the impacts that mental health has on homeless-related issues and how crucial it is to have mental health advocates involved in this process. When I worked as an Emergency Medical Technician, I saw firsthand the gaps in our mental health system toward vulnerable populations – often transporting unhoused and elderly patients – who were mistreated and released back out on the street without any resources to move forward. And when I served as a Field Representative for Councilwoman Nury Martinez, I went above and beyond to visit every homeless encampment, connected with everybody living in RVs, and got to know them better. While doing this, I came across so many women who were victims of domestic violence and directed them toward available resources. 

As Senator, I will work to increase mental health services and ensure we meet the needs of communities that are often underserved and overlooked to add more beds to these demographics and continue to push for creative housing. I am looking to modernize the outdated Lanterman-Petris-Short Act from the late sixties. This Act continues to play a big role in our continued homeless crisis. The current law allows human beings to die on the streets because we cannot legally do anything about it. Too often, we see individuals running in front of cars, suffering from psychotic episodes, and rolling around in their own feces because this Act states it is their human right to be in that state. I believe it is a HUMAN RIGHT to obtain help when one cannot make that decision. I want to increase the access and affordability of mental health services and provide more effective treatment, housing, and services for the unhoused. Individuals with serious mental illnesses receive inadequate care. I support expanding reform that sends mental health professionals to respond to specific emergency calls. I will advocate for increasing access to mental health resources in schools.