Lenny Mendonca, center, former Chief Economic and Business Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, discusses trade and tourism with Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, left, and Caroline Beteta, president of Visit California, in March amid the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Judy Lin for CalMatters
In summary
We need to destigmatize and normalize discussing, seeking and obtaining mental health treatment for the well-being of every individual and family system.
By Cathryn Leff
President of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
On behalf of the 32,000 psychotherapist members of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, we thank CalMatters for printing Lenny Mendonca’s heartfelt and impactful story about his mental health journey.
Mendonca wrote, “I’m sharing my story because we have too few business and public leaders making public space to discuss mental health, destigmatize professional shame and protect against the resulting economic impact it can have on people’s careers and our economy as a whole. The conversation is overdue and urgent.”
We at the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists echo Mendonca’s words, as we advocate for the need to destigmatize and normalize discussing, seeking and obtaining mental health treatment for the well-being of every individual and family system, and for the health and progress of our society as a whole.
Thank you Lenny for having the courage and foresight to be open and honest about your mental health. We wish you a successful and bright future.
Heartfelt story about mental health will have a big impact
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In summary
We need to destigmatize and normalize discussing, seeking and obtaining mental health treatment for the well-being of every individual and family system.
By Cathryn Leff
President of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Re “I faced a challenge one out of every three people in America has: depression and anxiety”; Commentary, July 7, 2020
On behalf of the 32,000 psychotherapist members of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, we thank CalMatters for printing Lenny Mendonca’s heartfelt and impactful story about his mental health journey.
Mendonca wrote, “I’m sharing my story because we have too few business and public leaders making public space to discuss mental health, destigmatize professional shame and protect against the resulting economic impact it can have on people’s careers and our economy as a whole. The conversation is overdue and urgent.”
We at the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists echo Mendonca’s words, as we advocate for the need to destigmatize and normalize discussing, seeking and obtaining mental health treatment for the well-being of every individual and family system, and for the health and progress of our society as a whole.
Thank you Lenny for having the courage and foresight to be open and honest about your mental health. We wish you a successful and bright future.
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