| Fighting for Mental Health Reform | VIDEO |
Dear Friend, According to the Guinn Center for Public Policy, there are 1.4 million people suffering from mental illness in Nevada. But as of last year, 15 of our state’s 16 counties have been classified as a mental health professional shortage area. In 2014, 12 counties didn’t have a licensed psychiatrist and 8 counties didn’t even have a licensed psychologist. In Clark County during 2014, there were 9 licensed psychologists for every 100,000 people and only 6 licensed psychiatrists for every 100,000 people. The numbers show that we face a serious mental health crisis in our state and our nation where over 11 million people suffer from severe schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression. This is why I co-sponsored the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, a bill written by Congressman Tim Murphy that would create the most comprehensive update to how we treat the mentally ill in decades. Congressman Murphy is not only the only practicing psychologist in the Congress, but he’s the only one serving in an elected capacity in the federal government. This week, he came to Las Vegas to hear from local leaders on our state’s tremendous need for mental health reform and to talk about how the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act can help improve access to mental health professionals and resources. Congressman Murphy also joined me for a tour of the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services facility to learn first-hand about the challenges doctors in our region face as they help families suffering with mental health issues. I also spent time with Heidi Harris and her listeners to talk about this issue and what Congress is working on for mental health patients. Keep reading below to learn more about what went on this week. As I head back to Washington, please continue to stay connected with me and let me know how I can continue to help you find solutions to federal problems. Serving you,
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| Roundtable with Mental Health Leaders |
I hosted a mental health roundtable where Congressman Murphy joined me to hear from southern Nevada’s mental health leaders in the education, government and private sectors. We discussed how mental health issues affect our families and how the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act can help to better treat our loved ones. Congressman Murphy and I heard from stakeholders in our state government, medical communities, patient groups, and Clark County Public Schools about access to mental health professionals in our great state. |
| Touring Mental Health Facility in Southern Nevada |
Congressman Murphy and I toured the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services facility. It was great to meet with mental health doctors and see what they do to help families suffering from mental health issues first-hand. We also got to learn more about what Nevada’s mental health doctors need to continue their efforts in helping our loved ones overcome mental illness. |
| Talking About Mental Health with Heidi Harris |
I was on the Heidi Harris Show with Congressman Murphy to raise awareness of our state and nation’s mental health crisis and talk about how the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act can help address the needs of families suffering from mental health issues. Listen to the full interview here. |
| Congressional App Challenge |
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As students and teachers across the fourth district head back to class this week, I’m encouraging them, as they begin studying their STEM curriculum, to consider the Congressional App Challenge as a fun way to learn about the innovative industries of our future. The Congressional App Challenge is a nation-wide competition open to all eligible students in Nevada’s Fourth District and is designed to encourage a student’s interest in the STEM fields, while having fun learning. Similar to the Congressional Art Competition, students will be challenged during the Congressional App Challenge to create an application for a mobile phone, tablet or a computer as a way to promote interest in math and science education. The App Challenge submission period is open now and the deadline for submission is Wednesday, November 2, 2016. A panel of tech experts from Nevada’s Fourth District will judge the entries. The winner from Nevada’s Fourth District will be honored at an awards ceremony where they will have the opportunity to debut their app. The winner will also have their app featured on a display in the Capitol building and on the Congressional App Challenge website. For details on how to enter the app challenge, please click here or call my North Las Vegas office at (702) 912-1634. I hope all students take advantage of this opportunity to have a little fun while learning important skills for today’s global economy; and who knows, maybe one of them might create the next Pokémon Go! |
| Internship Opportunities |
Are you a student interested in learning first hand about how Congress works? My office is currently accepting applications for internships for the fall semester. To learn more about what it’s like to intern in a Congressional office, I would encourage you to read about Jay Mortensen and Dennis Whitmore, both of whom interned in my Capitol Hill office this summer. Both Jay and Dennis are from Logandale and this week, the Moapa Valley Progress wrote about their experiences this summer. If you or someone you know would be interested in interning in either my Washington, D.C. or North Las Vegas office, please call (702) 912-1634 to find out more about what opportunities exist. |
| Hardy’s Upcoming Event |
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Veterans Benefits Seminar in North Las Vegas Do you have questions about the VA or your veterans’ benefits? Attend my Veterans Benefits Seminar to learn more about disability benefits, accessing My Healthevet and the CHOICE Program. VA representatives will be on hand to provide answers to your questions and show you how to navigate their website where you can access your e-benefits. Thursday |September 22, 2016 Veterans Transition Resource Center (VTRC) 2250 Nature Park Drive, Room 200 North Las Vegas, Nevada 89084 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, contact John Taing at (702) 912-1634 or John.Taing@mail.house.gov. |
| Hardy in the News |
Congressman Hardy on Mental Health Reform: KSNV (NBC) – Las Vegas, NV | 08/31/2016 Congressman Cresent Hardy on Mental Health Bills: The Heidi Harris Show (KXNT 840 AM) – Las Vegas, NV | 08/31/2016
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