To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference?

Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines light on current efforts in Massachusetts to better utilize schools for prevention and early intervention, to help increase the behavioral health workforce, and more. He also generously shares some of his personal mental health journey.

Read the episode transcript.

Media List

Follow along with the conversation.

• Senator John C. Velis (malegislature.gov)
• A Good Day on Beacon Hill (Instagram, MGH Clay Center)
• Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery (malegislature.gov)
• Sen. John Velis faces alcoholism one day at a time (CommonWealth Beacon)
• Could your Honor Student Have an Addiction? feat. Marty Walsh (YouTube, MGH Clay Center)
• Regional roadmap seeks to address youth mental health ‘crisis’ (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
• D.A.R.E didn’t work. How can school programs actually keep kids off drugs? (Yahoo! News)
• MCPAP (MA Child Psychiatry Access Program)
• Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (The University of Texas System)
• When to Worry, What to Do – PDF Library (MGH Clay Center)
• State commission releases recommendations to bolster behavioral health (East Boston Times)
• Peer Programs Helping Schools Tackle Student Depression, Anxiety (National Education Association)
• Happy Birthday, Carson! (Instagram, State Senator John Velis)

We’ll see you back the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream.

Music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

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