Everyone knows someone with a mental illness. Not many know the injustice those with mental illness face when trying to receive treatment. Darrell Steinberg’s passionate talk sheds light on what some consider the most under attended issue of our time.

In 1997, Darrell Steinberg, State Senate President pro Tem (ret), recognized that an overwhelming number of homeless were suffering from mental illness, yet did not have access to proper mental health care. Since then, Darrell’s mission has been to facilitate awareness of this “under-attended issue of our time and in our society” and to catalyze solutions. His commitment to improving mental health services over the years has served to provide integrated services to the homeless; increase funding of “whatever-it takes” services for individuals with the most severe mental illnesses via the California Mental Health Services Act (2004); and, now by establishing a first of its kind statewide organization, The Steinberg Institute for Advancing Mental Health Policy, that will support and encourage legislative champions; help solve disputes between mental health stakeholders; evaluate impacts of current investments; and implement a tangible vision to advance mental health services and support.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx