As Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee, I was proud to be a leading co-sponsor of HB7214, AN ACT CONCERNING MATERNAL HEALTH. I introduced the bill on the House floor last night, and it passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support!
Many thanks to my colleagues who supported this legislation and understood the need to establish a task force to study perinatal mental health care, a report card for birth centers and hospitals providing maternity care, and require the Commissioner of Public Health to convene an advisory committee to study doula-friendly practices in hospitals.
That's what HB7214 is about. Tuesday was a good day.
Earlier in the day, I hosted the 3rd Annual Mental Health & Wellness Day at The Capitol, where over 50 mental health-related agencies and organizations were on hand. The event was well-attended, again. I'm already looking forward to Year 4!
Please click on the image below for a short video showing how important the issue of Mental Health is to me, and many legislators. We are laser-focused on doing our part to help those needing assistance.
Three years ago, when I was newly elected to the state legislature, I came in on a special election. I walked into this building, committees were over, and here I am this new lawmaker trying to figure out how to make laws when I couldn't even figure out where the bathroom was. I also felt the weight of wanting to contribute, but not really knowing how, and I'm a social worker. I'm a natural helper, and I'm the eldest of many siblings.
If you are the eldest, you know what that means. You always have to be doing something and helping and coming into this space, I was like, 'What am I going to do so late in the game?' Another big part of this was that I was coming from a community that was grieving.
We had just lost State Representative Quentin Williams. I was coming from this community that was grieving, but also coming into the legislature that was also grieving, and I realized what better way to start my work as a legislator than by creating a space for healing, support, and connection.
That's how the Mental Health and Wellness Fair was born.
You can read a CT News Junkie story on the event HERE. To hear a recent podcast I did with Nancy Barrow on mental health and more, please click HERE.
Shoutouts to Public Health Committee Chair Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB) Tri Chair Tammy Exum, Public Health Committee member Patrick Biggins, and Education Committee member Savet Constantine for joining me at our press conference before the event.
Again, thank you all for coming, and a special thank you to those who participated in the success of the event this year. Stay well!
Sincerely, Kai Belton State Representative
The issue of mental health is close to my heart. Here's why:
There was a time during the pandemic when I lost both my father, and my very best friend, who is my daughter's godmother, to COVID, and I was the helper. I was doing all of the things to support my family at such a difficult time, and then I was the person who needed the help. I was able to recognize that and go and get some grief support.
And because of that, I was able to not just get back to myself but to be a better mother, and a better social worker. And now because of that, I am here as a better legislator to serve the state of Connecticut. I'm sharing that because as helpers, we want to help everyone else, and a lot of times, we don't even want to recognize when things get a little too heavy, right? We all need support. It doesn't matter if we're struggling or if we just need a resource to help us maintain our wellness. It is extremely important.
And there is a lot more and still, a lot more to do. Take a look at the bills passed in the House during the 2025 legislative session so far right HERE.
I joined the picket line with Pratt & Whitney workers in Middletown, showing up not only as the State Representative of the 100th District but as a mother of one of the workers.
On Mother’s Day weekend, I was proud to stand with families demanding fairness, respect, and a better future.
The creative work of best-selling Author Tyree Hugey “ Poverty Pimpin” based on the series of best-sellers climate, culture & consciousness will be on display at 725 Main Street in Middletown on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are free. You can get yours HERE.
