Newsmakers: Sen. Susan Pha Works on Legislation Advocating for Youth
Sen. Susan Pha (DFL-Brooklyn Center) is working legislation this session that advocates for youth.
“So this year is big for making sure young people have a voice when it comes to cannabis policy,” said Sen. Pha. “As you know, we are rolling out cannabis next year, and that means there are retail options. Young people want to be sure they are part of that process and that they are part of setting up what is marketed towards them as a young group.”
Pha says this includes youth seats on the Cannabis Advisory Council as well as ensuring that cannabis packaging does not look like candy and is not marketed to youth.
Another youth-focused initiative of Pha’s is pushing for telehealth options in schools to help with youth mental health.
“Right now we know that with our young people there is a crisis with mental health,” said Pha. “We’ve been talking about it for years and what have we been doing to make more therapy and counseling accessible to young people.”
Pha says one avenue could be increasing access to mental health counseling in school through telehealth options.
To view Sen. Pha’s legislative work, click here.
See also: PrairieCare Completes $15M Brooklyn Park Hospital Expansion To Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
