Gather 'round friends, it's time for a little story. . . .

“We talk about healthcare from the neck down, but we need to make sure we talk about it from the neck up."

A few weeks ago, a few friends and I made the 3+ hour trip from the Cities to Ft. Dodge, IA to attend a Town Hall with @KamalaHarris. This wasn't the first event I'd been to IA for, not even the first that month, but it was the first where it was only going to feature Kamala.

I was excited for this, not only because I had helped make some calls to turn folks out for this event, but also because they had to switch venues because the first one was going to be too small for the expected turnout.

So, neat, considering how much shade some folks like to throw at Kamala's campaign, but I digress. . . . .

The room began to fill, and we started chatting with folks. Some were local, others had traveled far to see Kamala in person, including a couple for Wisconsin. Some people were solidly in Kamala's camp, others were still deciding.

Again, folks, most recent poll only had like 28% of people that felt that had fully made up their mind.

We milled about listening to the excellent pre-event soundtrack (for real though - best tunes I've heard at an event in a minute), got a pitch from about getting involved.

Ok, time for a small confession: I was sad that when Kamala arrived, she wasn't wearing Chucks. Moving on. . . . .

We are welcomed to the event by the Sarah, the Precinct Captain for Ft. Dodge, who told the story about how her mom kept losing her job because the school district she worked in kept cutting social workers and nurses. https://twitter.com/KamalaForIA/status/1193593165325971456

It wasn't that these services weren't needed - they were just often the first cut during budget cuts.

(more on this in the future if I can remember to write it)

Then it was Kamala's turn to speak. She gave opening remarks, a shortened version of her speech from the previous week at the LJ (watch if you haven't -> ), and then turned the microphone over to the crowd for questions.

The questions were pretty standard Town Hall type of questions, but one topic really stood out to me, because Kamala spoke about it in a way that I wish more candidates and elected officials would.

The topic you ask? Mental health.

She started out with a very powerful statement I - "we talk abut healthcare from the neck down, but we need to make sure we talk about it from the neck up." Having a candidate for President of the United States, use this destigmatizing language, was pretty amazing.

Because too often people want to treat it differently, or don't understand that how many mental health issues are chronic illnesses - ones that can be managed, but rarely "curee". This is personal to me, as I deal with anxiety and ADHD using a mix of both therapy and meds.

Kamala then went brought up something often not discussed, especially as conversations occur around moving towards a single-payer system or a public option - there is a huge need for more mental health professionals - in our schools, in our communities, and in rural areas too.

She tied this last point to why broadband expansion should also be a priority, because it would help improve access via telemedicine, but again, that's a topic I should write about at another time.

One of the big things people promote about moving towards a single-payer system is that it will be easier for people to go to the doctor, since there will be lower costs, no coverage denial, etc.

However, when it comes to mental health care, this may not actually change much.

Right now, there are not enough providers to meet the needs of our communities. People that are in crisis and need to see someone are put on a waiting list that is sometimes months long.

This would be akin to telling someone with a severely broken arm that they could come back in a month, maybe.

And only if their insurance covers this clinic, provider, etc.

I have been lucky that I have found providers that take my insurance and were able to get me in. Part of this is due to the fact that I have a job where I can take appointments that others with more fixed schedules cannot.

I am extremely thankful for this, but know that so many others aren't able to get the support they need to manage their symptoms.

Without addressing the lack of mental health professionals, any single payer plan won't help address the needs in our communities.

I really appreciated that @KamalaHarris spoke to this, and not just a passing slogan, but in a way that I could tell she truly understood the root issues.

Not all people do, and that’s too bad. Because until folks think about mental health the same way they do physical health, we’ll never get rid of the stigma or truly have a robust mental healthcare network to meet the needs of our communities.

After she wrapped up, I managed to get a moment to speak to Kamala. Y’all - it was great. I told her I had officially been to Iowa more times this year alone to do stuff for her than I had in my entire life previously.

And how I am doing work up in Minnesota on her behalf.

I also told her how as someone that works for a county, I could see her previous county service reflected in her policies. It’s something subtle, that folks who aren’t working at the county level may miss, but Kamala appreciated that I could see it.

#CountiesMatter.

Then I did something that those that know me IRL will be shocked to know, I gave her a hug. Then I got a picture, something I hadn’t been able to do during my previous trips.

So yeah, totally worth the 3 hour drive to hear the candidate I’m supporting for President speak about an issue that I care about AND she complimented my shirt.

(which you can get at @RAYGUNshirts )

In conclusion, I'm proud to support @KamalaHarris for President.

And if you want to get involved, holler.

#KHive
#JusticeIsOnTheBallot

Thank you for coming to my JAM Talk.