Kansas congresswoman invites Bert Nash CEO to participate in briefing on mental health training initiative

On Thursday, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) and Congressman Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) co-hosted a congressional staff briefing sponsored by the National Council Behavioral Healthcare on an innovative training program called Mental Health First Aid and H.R. 274, the Mental Health First Aid Act.

Barber previously served as district director for former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. He was critically wounded in the Tucson, Ariz., attack that nearly claimed the life of Giffords and killed six others.

“The Mental Health First Aid Act has bipartisan support in the House and Senate for good reason — it helps participants understand, identify and respond to mental health issues and disorders. This type of early detection training program is critical to removing the stigma of mental health treatment, and ensuring all families have access to mental health resources to prevent individuals from harming themselves or others,” Jenkins said. “I was particularly grateful to David Johnson, one of the first 14 trainers for Mental Health First Aid, from the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center in Lawrence who testified with a panel of experts discussing the benefits of this initiative. I visited Bert Nash earlier this year to learn more about this educational tool, and I am committed to making mental health initiatives a priority during the 113th Congress.