WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman hosted a mental health seminar inside the Stryker Center in Williamsburg to discuss legislation supporting mental health care professionals and how people can help those struggling with mental health issues.
A panel of local mental health professionals shared their insight into mental health in the Commonwealth.
"From a diagnostic standpoint, we see a lot of depression. A lot of anxiety," said Dr. Ryan McQueen, M.D., the chief of psychiatry at Riverside Health System and medical director of adolescent psychiatry at Riverside Mental Health & Recovery Center.
However, while the need for mental health care increases, attracting professionals to the field has been challenging.
"We need a lot more people, [as] I said earlier. There are probably only 10,500 child psychiatrists in the country. We've got 74 million kids, so we do need more help," said Dr. McQueen.
Last year, Congress passed the Mental Health Access Improvement Act. The legislation expands coverage for marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services.
Rep. Wittman was a co-sponsor of the legislation.
"The way we increase access is we reimburse for services for the widest array of professionals [who] can provide help to folks in that field. So this act that passed in December is another good step forward to make sure we're increasing access," he said.
While the congressman said he is committed to supporting access to mental health care, Dr. McQueen said the best way someone can support a person struggling with mental health is to listen and get them help.
"If you don't know what to say, just listen to somebody. If they're in danger, call 911 or call 988 or just bring them to the nearest emergency room for treatment," said Dr. McQueen.