Rep. Carolyn Eslick to be recognized for her work on expanding adolescent behavioral health care access

Rep. Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, has been selected by members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to receive their 2019 Behavioral Health Champion Award for her work on improving access to adolescent behavioral health care.

During the 2019 legislative session, the 39th District lawmaker co-sponsored House Bill 1874, recently signed into law by the governor, which makes changes to the parent-initiated treatment process for adolescents over the age of 13.

“Rep. Eslick's efforts to expand youth access to behavioral health services in the 2019 session will benefit countless young people and families,” said Brad Forbes, NAMI Washington's director of public policy.  “We were fortunate to work with her to update Parent Initiated Treatment law, providing families more tools to help their struggling teenagers access needed care.” 

Eslick says the changes were long overdue.

“Children's mental health matters. Many parents feel helpless when their kids need treatment. Thought and attention need to be given to this important aspect of their lives,” said Eslick. “As incredibly honored as I am to receive this award, I'm more pleased to see our state begin to take the right steps toward providing better care for the mental and emotional needs of children.”

NAMI Washington is a grassroots advocacy organization representing the interests of people living with mental illness and their families.  Members will present the award to Eslick on Wednesday, July 10th at 9:30 a.m. in the Sultan City Council Chambers, 319 Main St., Sultan, WA.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov