Congressman Troy Carter and Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome Announce Mental Health Initiative

BATON ROUGE, L.A. –Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. and Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced a congressional allocation of $1 million to East Baton Rouge Parish to establish a network of mental and behavioral health resource centers that will offer traditional clinical services by licensed practitioners for communities that have high indicators of need for trauma-informed care based on factors like crime, substance abuse, housing insecurity and violence.

“Mental healthcare is healthcare. We need to take care of body, our spirit, and mind to build happy, fulfilling lives and a strong, safe community,” said Congressman Carter. “That’s why today I am so proud to announce that I have secured $1 million in community project funding for mental health services in Baton Rouge through the BRIGHT Initiative. We all deserve to feel safe in our communities and with ourselves. Serving our community’s mental health needs — as well as physical health needs – is a way to achieve a stronger, safer, Baton Rouge. Thank you to Mayor-President Broome and the City of Baton Rouge for their ongoing partnership and dedication to this important issue.”

“Increasing access to mental health and trauma resources for East Baton Rouge families is critical to supporting a safe, hopeful and healthy community. Congressman Carter is a tremendous partner, helping to bring these resources into neighborhoods of greatest need, which improves public safety and quality of life.”

This community project was funded through Congress’ annual Appropriations process, and was selected and advocated for by Congressman Carter after comprehensive outreach to local groups and stakeholders. This one million in funding for BRIGHT is one of nine projects totaling $31.5 million that the Congressman secured for the people and communities of Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. 

###