The addiction and mental health crisis continues to wreak havoc on families in communities across the country. We certainly see it in Virginia, where it impacts more than 150,000 residents and costs our state nearly $5 billion every single year.
Growing up in Virginia — where I trained in gymnastics and developed a love for college sports that inspired my future career pursuits — I’ve seen firsthand how this crisis touches American families. That includes my own parents, who died of fentanyl overdoses at our Newport home within five hours of one another while I attended Rutgers University as a freshman gymnast.
At 18 years old, I was left with more questions than answers — about addiction, about stigma and about how something so devastating could remain so hidden. For years, I carried the weight of that loss in silence, believing that sharing my story would only bring harsh judgment. But I’ve since learned that silence is what allows this epidemic to persist. Today, I’ve made it my life’s mission to empower others impacted by addiction to speak up, seek help and never feel ashamed.
We recently took this important message to Capitol Hill, convening academic researchers, industry leaders and high-profile policymakers, including Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., for an event — “The Science of Addiction and Mental Health.” It highlighted cutting-edge health research from universities across the country on the frontlines of efforts to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations about the impact of the crisis on our families, and improve treatment and interventions for the millions of Americans who suffer from addiction and mental health.
As an example, look no further than research efforts underway at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where affiliate assistant professor and clinical psychologist Jarrod Reisweber, Psy.D., developed a novel virtual reality-based treatment program for veterans who suffer from substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. Backed by federal funding from the Veterans Health Administration, and working closely with the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Dr. Reisweber has extended this impactful therapy to veterans throughout the commonwealth.
And at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, associate professor Jonna Bobzien maximizes federal scientific research investments to improve mental health and addiction training for school social workers, teachers, caseworkers and community partners.
Since the Second World War, the federal government has made strong and sustained investments in medical research at American colleges and universities. This research has led to unparalleled advancements in care and medicine that improve health outcomes. Maintaining federal funding for scientific research will ensure that our nation continues to develop medical innovations and find new cures and treatments for many mental health conditions, like addiction and substance use disorder, which cause tremendous harm and suffering for individuals and families.
In the race to save lives and keep our communities safe, we must continue supporting researchers at American higher education institutions who remain at the forefront of new medical breakthroughs and treatments that can help turn the tide of our nation’s addiction and mental health crisis.
Across the political spectrum, Americans overwhelmingly see scientific research as a boon for health care. In fact, 95% believe that federal investments in science help deliver lifesaving medicines and treatment innovations. Day in and day out — in red states and in blue states — American colleges and universities conduct this type of groundbreaking research, which helps us better understand the human brain and target new therapies and treatments that enable us to combat the addiction and mental health crisis.
In Virginia, we are seeing real leadership from schools, businesses and elected officials stepping up to tackle this crisis head-on. But we must continue to invest in solutions that work. That means breaking the stigma and increasing access to resources, including federal funding for scientific research into addiction, treatment and prevention. If we want to end this epidemic, we have to understand it — and that starts with supporting research and education that can save lives.
Lauren Sisler is an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, ESPN sideline reporter, author and a former collegiate gymnast. She graduated from Giles High School and Rutgers University.
