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Cortez Masto discusses mental health resources at roundtable with local organizations and advocates

Conference tables set up in a letter U configuration. There are people sitting along the outside of the tables, looking toward one person who is speaking.
Maria Palma
/
KUNR Public Radio
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto at a roundtable with local organizations and advocates on Feb. 15, 2024, in Reno, Nev.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto joined local mental health organizations and advocates at a roundtable to highlight mental health support available to Reno youth and their families.

Mental health, telemedicine, transportation and crisis support services were some of the topics that Cortez Masto discussed with local advocates at a roundtable on Feb. 15.

The main challenge in Nevada when it comes to mental health issues is that there are not enough services or support, Cortez Masto said.

“I know in Nevada, so many of our families, whether it’s our youth or seniors or families are dealing with behavioral health issues, mental health issues, and some of them substance abuse issues,” she said. “My role is to figure out what the federal response is and make sure those federal dollars are supporting Nevada’s needs here.”

She was joined by representatives from Nevada Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), Nevada Division of Child and Family Services, Nevada Medicaid, Wraparound in Nevada, Nevada Rural Hospital Partners, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Nevada.

Cortez Masto has helped pass legislation to fund mobile crisis response teams in Medicaid. She has also helped implement the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Maria joined KUNR Public Radio in December 2022 as a staff reporter. She is interested in stories about underserved communities, immigration, arts and culture, entertainment, education and health.