HARTFORD –Weeks after the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed comprehensive mental health reform, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Stamford Mayor David Martin, State Senator Carlo Leone (D-27), State Representative Caroline Simmons (D-144), and Executive Director of Optimus Lud Spinelli on Wednesday for a meeting with mental health providers, advocates, and patients at Optimus Health Care. Murphy provided an update on his bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act and called on the Senate to immediately schedule a vote on his bill when Congress is back in session in September. The bill passed out of the Senate HELP Committee earlier this year.

Optimus is a federally-funded provider of physical and mental health services to more than 50,000 Connecticut residents each year. In Stamford, Optimus operates the Stamford Community Health Center, Optimus Washington Boulevard, and the Clinic at Woodland, all of which provide behavioral health care.  

“I’ve heard from too many families and medical providers that our mental health system is utterly and completely broken. We are now closer than we’ve been in a long time to passing comprehensive, meaningful reform. The stories I heard today in Stamford will help me make the case to my colleagues in Congress that we need a vote now,” said Senator Murphy.

“I commend Senator Murphy for continuing to shine the light on mental health issues and for pushing for action at the federal level. Those suffering from mental illness are our family members, friends and neighbors, and there is much work to be done to support our loved ones and destigmatize these issues. Places like Optimus, an excellent, committed provider, are a vital part of our local support system, and Stamford is fortunate to have had them as a health partner for many years,” said Stamford Mayor David Martin.

“We were happy to host Senator Murphy’s event at Optimus. We had a standing room only crowd of seventy mental health leaders, parents, and providers,” said Ludwig Spinelli, CEO of Optimus Health Care. “Optimus supports the efforts of Senator Murphy to bring needed change to the provision of mental health services in the U. S.” 

“Today’s discussion was on a critically important issue. I applaud Senator Murphy for his expertise and raising this issue nationally, which will help drive the alignment of the state and local resources and repair the delivery of resources to their optimum effect,” said State Senator Carlo Leone (D-27).

"Thank you to Senator Chris Murphy for being a champion on mental health issues since your time in the CT General Assembly and now in Congress. While we have made progress in CT, there is so much more work to be done to ensure that the 1 in 5 individuals in our community who have a mental health condition receive the treatment and support they need,” said State Representative Caroline Simmons (D-144). “The legislature is committed to improving access to mental health care and providing health professionals and those working with young people the tools they need to make sure all CT residents receive the care and attention they need."