ISSUES

 Having personally treated thousands of patients with mental disorders for almost 40 years, Dr. Kumar knows mental illness and what must be done to reduce its incidence in our society. Based on his personal findings, as well as those of other experts in the field, he has formulated a plan he feels will help curb mental illness in the nation. Dr. Kumar feels many of our nation's problems are rooted in the continual growth of mental  illness that effect people of all ages, genders, racial backgrounds, educational levels, and socioeconomic status in all areas of society. Mental illness, when left untreated or improperly managed, can potentially contribute to an increased risk of gun violence. Certain mental illnesses may impact one's thoughts, emotions, and behavior in ways that could potentially lead to violent acts. Conditions such as severe depression, untreated psychosis, or specific personality disorders can sometimes impair an individual's judgment, perception of reality, impulse control, or ability to cope with stressors effectively.  

 In our country today millions of people suffer from many forms of mental disorders such as:  anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts or  actions, schizophrenia, as well as problems of substance abuse-the consumption of alcohol  and drugs as coping mechanisms to numb painful mental health symptoms. Unfortunately,  most of this chaos is created by our politicians. They have been influenced by the lobbyists  and their money. It only helps only them not ordinary citizens. According to the American Psychiatric Association there are over 450 different definitions of mental disorders. Affirming Dr. Kumar's findings are alarming facts reported in the "2023 The State of Mental  Health In America" by MHA- Mental Health America, the nation's leading community-based  non-profit mental health organization. -- 21% of adults (over 50 million Americans} are experiencing problems with mental illness.  55% of them (over 28 million individuals} receive no treatment for their illness. --15% of adults had a substance use disorder in the past year. 93.5% of them did not receive  treatment. --16% of youth report suffering at least one major depressive episode in the past year. 60% of  youth with major depression do not receive mental health treatment. While the number of people who suffer mental illness is of serious concern, even more  alarming is the fact that some people who've committed atrocious incidents were later  diagnosed as having mental disorders. In that respect, mental illness can be far more  dangerous than cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, and other illnesses that bring about suffering,  and even death, to the unfortunates afflicted by such diseases. But, while the overwhelming  majority of the mentally ill pose no danger, a person with a mental disorder can hurt more than  just him or herself. Based on all the aforementioned findings and statistics, we all know that mental health is not  limited to the individuals who is suffering but it also emotionally impacts their loved ones,  their families, their local communities and small businesses around them.  Dr. Kumar asserts that there is a pressing need for the government to prioritize and allocate increased resources towards individuals afflicted with mental disorders.   

In California, the homelessness crisis is not just a symptom but a stark reminder of deeper societal, economic issues and systemic mental illness. It's a problem exacerbated by misplaced priorities, where significant resources are funneled overseas, leaving American citizens and veterans facing severe neglect at home. This situation calls for a realignment of our focus towards domestic challenges, advocating for a robust investment in affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and comprehensive job training programs.

The proposal involves a strategic reallocation of funds to develop support systems that address the root causes of homelessness, including mental health issues, unemployment, and the lack of affordable housing. There's a push for public-private partnerships to increase housing availability and for enhancing coordination between healthcare and social services, ensuring a cohesive approach to this multifaceted issue. Special attention is given to veterans, who deserve targeted programs acknowledging their service and addressing their unique needs.

By prioritizing the well being of our own people and tackling the inefficiencies that divert resources from critical domestic initiatives, we can start to mend the social fabric of our communities. Addressing homelessness is not only a moral duty but a practical necessity to uplift society, strengthen the economy, and embody the values of compassion and justice.

  As a man who once worked for WHO (the World Health Organization}, Dr. Kumar has years of  working for the betterment of our California community. That is a major reason why he has  considerable knowledge on so many other issues that need attention. Having been an immigrant, he knows firsthand our country's immigration system, what  immigrants face trying to find their niche in society, and how the system can be improved. He  has personal experience in many problem areas that have been mostly overlooked by the  government; including the plight of the homeless and the need for affordable housing. Dr. Kumar feels, "We are all Americans so we must unite to improve our country regardless of  our individual backgrounds! We must work together to improve our quality of life by caring for one another so that our future generations can compete in the world! Since I first arrived, I  have done all of that in my journey.” He is not the usual U.S. Senate candidate. But he is smart, savvy, determined, honest and  truthful. Dr. Kumar for California's U.S. Senator! Take the time to get to know him and help him make the country the best its ever been.