Seminara: “There is a children’s mental health crisis in our state.”
September 12, 2023

For Immediate Release
Sen. Lisa Seminara, Ranking Senator on the legislature’s Committee on Children and the Human Services Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the governor’s Sep. 12 children’s mental health roundtable discussion held at Family and Children’s Aid, Inc. in Waterbury.
“Mental health was the defining issue of the recent legislative session. We are making progress, but we have much more work to do. There is a children’s mental health crisis in our state. Addressing it will take an all-hands-on-deck approach from key stakeholders in order to identify – and remove – healthcare obstacles faced by children in Connecticut. I thank the administration for facilitating the ongoing discussion among providers, parents, children and policymakers. We must always be striving to improve policies impacting children’s health services. This requires taking a holistic approach to children’s health, with a particular focus on mental and physical well-being. We as western Connecticut lawmakers must review and assess ideas to break down the barriers to care as well as to improve health care access and affordability. It’s about listening, collaborating and brainstorming. These discussions will make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families in our state, and they must continue.”