California Health Advocates submitted a letter of support for AB 383 which would establish an Older Adult Mental Health Services Administrator with the Dept. of Health Care Services to oversee mental health services for older adults. Some of the Administrator’s responsibilities would include developing outcome and related indicators for older adults for the purpose of assessing the status of mental health services for older adults, monitoring the quality of programs for those adults, and guiding decision-making on how to improve those services. As many older adults have been affected by the pandemic with social isolation causing depression and anxiety, the need for strong mental health services is greater than over. We urge the State to establish programs to serve this large and growing population and to pass AB 383 to help ensure the strength of these mental health programs.
Read the full letter (PDF).