APA Honors U.S. Rep. Matsui with Javits Award

Mar 11, 2019

Washington, D.C. — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today awarded U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) the association’s Jacob K. Javits Award at a dinner ceremony.

The APA presents this award to a lawmaker or policymaker who has demonstrated distinguished leadership in supporting the profession of psychiatry and mental health advocacy. Named for former Sen. Jacob K. Javits of New York, it is the highest honor the APA confers on a public servant.

“Rep. Matsui has proven herself to be devoted mental health advocate through her leadership that has led to the passage of critical mental health policies benefiting patients across the country,” said APA President-Elect Bruce Schwartz, M.D.

Among the highlights of Rep. Matsui’s recent work on helping patients and their families, she championed the Excellence in Mental Health Act to expand Americans’ access to community mental health centers and introduced legislation to expand the program in 2018. She worked across party lines to secure passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, far-reaching legislation with numerous provisions intended to reform and improve the nation’s mental health care system She was instrumental in passing legislation that increased patient access to substance use disorder treatment, a bill aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic.

“I’m honored to receive the Javits Award from the American Psychiatric Association for my work on mental health and substance use,” Rep. Matsui said. “In Congress, my top priority is improving every aspect of our health care system from affordability to accessibility, particularly for mental health and substance use patients. I’m committed to continuing this leadership by working towards comprehensive mental health reform and increased substance use treatment.”

APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., once lived in Rep. Matsui’s district during his medical training. “Like her late husband, Rep. Bob Matsui, Rep. Doris Matsui is a true model of fairness and public service. She is a notable advocate of mental health and is well-deserving of this award.”

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,500 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information please visit www.psychiatry.org.

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