Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 DiDomenico and colleagues pass Mental Health Act O n November 17, Senator Sal DiDomenico and his Massachusetts Senate colleagues unanimously passed An Act addressing barriers to care for mental health – also known as Mental Health ABC Act 2.0 – comprehensive legislation to continue the process of reforming the way mental health care is delivered in Massachusetts. This legislation comes at a time when the Massachusetts Senate is making landmark investments in mental and behavioral health, inANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $3.259 Mid Unleaded $3.299 Super $3.419 Diesel Fuel $3.399 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $4.81 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $3.099 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS cluding $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to transform the behavioral health sector, with $122 million dedicated to recruiting and retaining nearly 2,000 behavioral professionals. On November 24, the Massachusetts House referred An Act addressing barriers to care for mental health to its Committee on Ways and Means. The Mental Health addressing barriers to care (ABC) Act 2.0 is driven by the recognition that mental health is as important as physical health for every resident of the Commonwealth and should be treated as such. The bill proposes a wide variety of reforms to ensure equitable access to mental health care and remove barriers to care by supporting the behavioral health workforce. “For too long, mental health has been overlooked within our health care system, leaving many Massachusetts residents without access to the critical services and treatment that they need,” said DiDomenico. “As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the need for critical mental as a collaborator in developing the annual plan for promotion of behavioral health with the newly developed offi ce of behavioral health promotion, which would bring an experienced voice in violence prevention and trauma-specific intervention and rehabilitation. Additionally, the Offi ce of Behavioral Health Promotion would be tasked with identifying and disseminating evidence-based practices to prevent violence through trauma-specifi c intervention and Sal DiDomenico State Senator health resources, which are just as important as those for physical health…I am proud of the steps my colleagues in the Senate and I have taken to remove barriers and increase parity in mental health care.” Some of the Senate bill’s amendments focus on suicide prevention and mental health care for people who are incarcerated. DiDomenico fi led an amendment which was adopted in the fi nal bill. His amendment mandates the Department of Youth Services rehabilitation. “The fact of the matter is that a lot of behavioral health cannot be addressed without also the influences of community violence and its surrounding trauma. This has touched all of our districts, including mine,” said DiDomenico. “As we all know, the work surrounding violence prevention, at-risk youth, and trauma-informed treatments is far from over. But I am excited to have this amendment provide progress and to continue our work with our often-overlooked communities”. DIDOMENICO | SEE PAGE 21 Friday, December 10th - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm in Everett Square for lots of holiday fun for the whole family! Prices subject to change Fill Up & Save! Fall is Coming! FLEET
3 Publizr Home