Leading Mental Health Expert & Advocate Available For Live Guest Segments

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2021
CONTACT: George Devine, Jr.
GDevine@Caminar.org

San Mateo, CA— Anyone who lives, works or studies in the Bay Area can share how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their lives. From children learning at home instead of inside classrooms, dining rooms being transformed into remote offices and many families facing sudden economic hardships, the pandemic affected all of us. These factors and more drove a rise in people seeking assistance from a system that was already stretched to its limits pre-pandemic.

Caminar has served the mental health needs of the San Francisco Bay Area for more than five decades. Caminar’s CEO, Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH, can speak about the increased demand for services during the past year and the ongoing challenge of increasing access to quality and supportive care for underserved communities. Mr. Cloutier can also explain how technology can increase access to care while helping achieve better outcomes for individuals and our community.

Mr. Cloutier will moderate a live, online forum entitled Revolutionizing Behavioral Healthcare: Caminar's Speakers Series on April 23, 2021. Leading up to April 23, Mr. Cloutier is available for both live, on-air discussions and for interviews that can be inserted into reporter packages.

Here are some potential interview topics:

• How much did COVID-19, stay-at-home orders, school closures and closing of public events worsen the mental health of the Bay Area.
• How the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on mental health will continue to drive demand for services even after the pandemic.
• How technology has helped expand access and quality of care during the pandemic and what needs to happen to foster innovation.
• The opportunities to increase access to quality mental health care for all community members, regardless of their ability to pay.
• What individuals, community groups and elected leaders can do to reform mental health care in our state.

For more information and to secure interviews with Mr. Cloutier, please contact George Devine via email GDevine@Caminar.org

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About Caminar: Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. Last year, Caminar and our divisions transformed the lives of more than 18,000 youth and adults through behavioral health care and support. Driven by compassion, science and our understanding of root causes, we deliver high-quality prevention, treatment and recovery services to those with complex mental health, substance use and co-occurring needs. More information at www.caminar.org.