Rep. Panetta Announces Youth Mental Health Care Provider as State of the Union Guest
Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced Jasmine Nájera, CEO of Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) and a local Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as his guest to President Joe Biden’s Annual State of the Union Address. A lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County, Jasmine has worked with Rep. Panetta to meet the growing mental and behavioral health needs of young people by deploying innovative care models throughout California’s 19th Congressional District.
Last year, suicide rates in the United States were the highest they had been since 1941. From 2007 through 2021, suicide rates for Americans ages 10 to 24 rose 62%. In 2022, almost 45% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Today, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24. These issues have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and chronic staffing shortages for school counselors, psychologists, and social workers.
“Many young people in California’s 19th Congressional District and across the country are experiencing growing social pressures and academic stressors,” said Rep. Panetta. “Behavioral health leaders like Jasmine are not only instrumental to providing students in our community with care and support, but also figuring out and driving forward innovative solutions needed by today’s youth. I’m proud to continue my work in fighting for the federal support that is needed by our community to address this crisis head-on, bolster mental health resources in our schools, and empower our young people to reach their fullest potential.”
“No matter their background, income level, or zip code, families deserve access to treatment, services, and programs that promote their overall wellness,” said PVPSA CEO Jasmine Nájera. “It is an honor to attend the State of the Union as Representative Panetta’s guest to highlight the work happening in our community to provide behavioral health services to our young people. Working alongside Rep. Panetta, we look forward to expanding our treatment and workforce development initiatives to confront the growing mental health crisis.”
Since 1991, PVPSA has provided comprehensive health education, mental health services, substance abuse services, and direct counseling to the students and families of the Pajaro Valley. With a deep commitment to addressing the social determinants of health, the agency utilizes an upstream public health approach to promote community health and wellness. Jasmine has served as PVPSA’s CEO since October 2022, tapping her over two decades of experience in behavioral health expertise to lead the organization’s public health and advocacy efforts. Jasmine is passionate about creating workforce development pathways to support the behavioral health clinicians needed to deliver quality programs and services to our community members.
Rep. Panetta secured $1 million in federal funding to help Santa Cruz County expand services for students through two new school-based wellness centers. As part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Rep. Panetta supported more than $2 billion to expand mental health services in schools nationwide.
As a member of the Mental Health Caucus, Rep. Panetta leads the annual effort to provide federal support for mental health professionals in schools. Rep. Panetta is fighting to secure $214 million in federal funding to increase the number of well-trained school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists, or other mental health professionals. Rep. Panetta also leads the bipartisan National School Psychology Week resolution, which honors the more than 35,000 practicing school psychologists in the country providing a supportive and encouraging learning environment for all students.
President Biden will deliver the annual State of the Union address to the American people and a Joint Session of the United States Congress on March 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM PT/9:00 PM PT. Jasmine will join State of the Union guests from around the country in the Gallery of the House of Representatives.
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