Tracey Bernett

What counties do you represent? If this is a statewide office, please put statewide.

Boulder County

Have you or someone you loved ever experienced a mental health and/or substance use condition?

Yes

Question #1: Colorado, like the rest of the nation, is facing a youth mental health crisis. Do you support school policies and funding that increase the availability of mental health services and supports in schools and early childhood settings?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #1?

The United States and Colorado have been experiencing a youth mental health crisis for years, as evidenced by increased rates of substance abuse, suicide and other consequences of untreated mental health. The pandemic has only exacerbated this long standing issue. Schools can play a vital role in identifying and intervening in mental health crises, but those services need to be adequately funded. I voted in favor of HB22-1243, which expands the I Matter program that provides free counseling sessions to youth as well as a school mental health professional matching grant program.

Question #2: Do you believe mental health and substance use are serious issues your constituents are experiencing that deserve legislative attention and action? Please explain.

Colorado’s mental health, suicide, and substance abuse issues have been building for years, and have been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Much of this is due to the state’s abysmal investment in mental health services and access to those services. That is why I co-sponsored the $450 Million package of behavioral health investments the Colorado legislature made this year. These investments include grants and loans for community-based behavioral health programs, expand and support the behavioral health workforce and coordination of care, increase the number of residential beds at mental health facilities, help redirect people with behavioral health needs from the criminal justice system, increase youth and family residential bed capacity, expand the I Matter program as well as other investments. While these investments should make a significant difference, I expect more legislative action may be needed in the future, something I will continue to support.

Question #3: Extreme risk protection orders, also known as red flag laws, allow law enforcement to temporarily remove weapons from individuals at significant risk to themselves or others. Colorado has a red flag law. Do you support extreme risk protection orders?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #3?

Red flag laws save lives. But passing red flag laws isn’t enough. We need to educate Coloradans that these laws exist and make it easy for them to know who to contact if they are concerned about a family member or individual who might be at significant risk to themselves or others.

Question #4: Overdose deaths are at an all-time high nationally and in Colorado. Many believe increasing criminal penalties for people who use drugs is the answer. Do you support increased criminal penalties for people who use drugs? *
(Please note that we are asking about personal use, not distribution)*

Would you like to explain your response to question #4?

Punishing people who are dependent on drugs will just clog up our courts and jails. Doing so will not solve the root causes of drug dependency, which is oftentimes mental health issues, nor will it help people recover from drug dependency. These people need compassion, empathy and help, not punishment.

Question # 5: As a follow up question, did you support legislation in the 2022 session that drastically increased the criminal penalty for possession of any substance over 1g if that substance contains any amount of fentanyl?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #5?

This was an exceptionally difficult vote for me, weighing my concerns about criminalizing possession for people who may not be aware of or are incapable of knowing that a small amount of fentanyl was in their possession, versus doing nothing to address this serious and growing crisis. The funding for education and training for fentanyl prevention, expanded treatment for incarcerated individuals and follow-up study to report that was included in the bill in the impact of this legislation helped alleviate some of my concerns.

Question #6: Do you believe the State should invest more funding for mental health and substance use? If yes, please explain where you would want additional funding to be directed. If no, please explain why.

I believe investing in early intervention and readily accessible mental health services are the best, most cost-effective solution. As a member of the Joint Technology Committee, I advocated and approved investments in telehealth technology, and will continue to support mental health funding for schools. While the legislature did make significant investments in mental health services in 2022, the state is still woefully underinvested in the entire spectrum of mental health services, so I will continue to support investments in all areas.

Question #7: People needing care, supports, and services for their mental health and substance use often experience discrimination as a result of their health condition. Would you support legislation that would protect people needing care, supports, and services for their mental health and substance use conditions from discriminatory practices?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #7?

Mental healthcare is no different than physical healthcare: both are needed for people to thrive and live healthy, productive lives. People should not be punished or risk losing their jobs because they are actively working on solving their health issues.

Question #8: For too long the state’s criminal justice system has acted as a substitute for a comprehensive mental health care system. Would you support policies that would disentangle mental health from the criminal justice system and promote the expansion of programs like Denver’s STAR program?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #8?

I am in full support of the STAR program, as well as the similar program in Boulder County. This helps keep people with mental health issues out of jail, unclogs our courts, helps them get the help they need, helps law enforcement officers, and saves Colorado money.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

As a candidate who grew up in a home impacted by mental health and substance use, it is incredibly important to me to do all we can to help. Too many people in our communities have been impacted by these kinds of challenges and it’s important to ensure they are offered the help and care they need in a timely manner without the bureaucratic red tape.