Wine Country Times

California State Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) took to Twitter to highlight the growing need in the state, and nationally, for behavior health care screening and help to those suffering.

According to Wood, one in four Americans are in need of help as those suffering with symptoms of mental health issues has increased over the last year. 

"One in four Americans need #behavioralhealth care and nationally, 13.3% of adults reported new/increased substance use to manage stress last year, nearly half of Californians reported symptoms of anxiety disorder or major depression. We need more prevention and early screening. #CALeg," Wood said in a tweet on May 5.

The Behavioral Health Action (BHA), a coalition of more than 50 California organizations, has joined together in hopes of raising awareness and providing behavioral health services and care.

"The #CaAlliance joined with more than 50 orgs to release a transformative Blueprint for #BehavioralHealth to guide policymakers," according to a California Alliance of Child and Family Services tweet. "Together, we must ensure all Californians get the #MentalHealth care they need. #CaLeg."

The BHA Blueprint for Behavioral Health said COVID-19 not only changed the world by causing a pandemic, but also "exacerbated behavioral health challenges by creating new obstacles for those already in distress and increased the ranks of those who need care."

"Economic insecurity, social isolation, health concerns, the strain of caring for others or working on the front lines, all have taken their toll. Behavioral health care needs have never been greater, for health care workers, families and children and those in ethnic and minority communities that have been disproportionately hard hit by the COVID-19 public health emergency," the BHA Blueprint said. 

According to the BHA Blueprint, nearly half of Californians' reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder or major depression as of July, and the number of those needing help and services will only continue to grow. 

The target areas are those who lost income or employment, especially black and Hispanic adults who have reported greater losses than other races, lower-income people, elderly adults over age 65 and front-line workers.

The BHA Blueprint said it will continue to work to raise awareness about the mental and behavioral health issues that COVID-19 has created in California, and nationally. BHA said strategies need to be put in place to prevent illness by detecting early signs. It also states that "investing in prevention, early intervention and a continuum of services in every community, will help Californians with behavioral health needs avoid acute care, hospitalization, incarceration and institutionalization."

For more information on the Behavioral Health Action, and to read the full blueprint, visit beavioralhealthaction.org.