KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan paid a visit to Kalamazoo where she stopped off at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine off of Oakland Drive on Tuesday, August 23.
While there, she wanted to talk mental health and substance abuse and addiction treatment reform with some of the area’s leading professionals and teachers.
During her visit, the senator met with faculty and local lawmakers to get their concerns what’s happening in the profession, and to recognize their work as well.
“When you look at what’s happening on campus and all of the support for children from autism, to families, to training the next generation of professionals, to working with families, it’s extremely impressive what’s happening here,” said Stabenow who also spoke with faculty on her efforts to expand services in Michigan and transform the way mental health and addiction treatment is funded in America.
“There’s a resiliency center that they’ve developed on campus to support families, individuals, children that have had trauma, or mental health issues and so on. And I’ve been able to get them a substantial federal grant we expect to be coming in later on this year as well to help support their efforts.”
Stabenow is also calling on the Federal Government to support additional funding for positions in Psychiatry, Psychology, and other social work related fields, as well as those who are interested in pursuing a career in the mental health field.