Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Judy Chu Honored as Mental Health Champions

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) were honored last night by the APA Practice Organization for their leadership and support promoting mental health. The Practice Organization awarded Senator Murphy and Representative Chu with the 2018 Outstanding Leadership Award, given annually to members of Congress in recognition for exceptional work on behalf of professional psychology. Representative Chu attended the ceremony and Joe Dunn, Senator Murphy's policy advisor, accepted the award on the senator's behalf.

Senator Murphy is a champion in leading the fight to reform the country's mental health system. His bipartisan bill, the Mental Health Reform Act, introduced with Senator Bill Cassidy, and enacted into law, require that individuals receive appropriate and timely mental health services, additional resources for early intervention measures and appropriate funding for proven interventions.  

"I'm honored and humbled to receive the APA's Outstanding Leadership Award, and I want to thank, in particular, the Connecticut Psychological Association," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. "With the APA's help, we passed a major, nationwide overhaul of America's mental health system that will help families get the mental health care they are due. Thanks to the APA for their leadership in pushing back on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and for their continued work to help improve people's lives."

Representative Chu displays strong support for the Medicare Mental Health Access Act. As a psychologist, Rep. Chu understands the importance for individuals to receive high quality access to mental health services.  As a strong advocate for mental health reform, she has fought to protect the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

"I'm privileged to be receiving this recognition from the APA. As a psychologist myself, I have made mental health a priority in my time in Congress. That has meant fighting for access to healthcare for all and promoting efforts to end stigma around mental health in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities," said Representative Judy Chu. But access to care is insufficient without enough qualified professionals, which is why I've also sought to help more students afford the graduate education they require through my POST-GRAD Act. Throughout all of this work, the APA has been an outstanding ally, and I'm honored to be standing with them again today."

"Both Senator Murphy and Representative Chu demonstrate strong leadership in prioritizing the importance of mental health reform. They have been strong advocates for individuals receiving fair and appropriate mental health services," said Katherine C. Nordal, PhD, executive director for professional practice, APA Practice Organization.

Both Senator Murphy and Representative Chu serve on key committees with jurisdiction over major health programs- the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), and House Ways and Means Committee, respectively. 

The APA Practice Organization is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association, the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. The Practice Organization, a 501 c6 organization, promotes and supports practicing psychologists. www.apapracticecentral.org.

SOURCE American Psychological Association Practice Organization