I thought I would toss my hat into the ring and run for both debutant and strategist in my area. I'm sharing what I posted in my blog about why I'm running for a position and why I think it's crucial that we not neglect the importance of incorporating mental health considerations into our public and social policy as we create a new space nation. I briefly discuss my own qualifications and how I can best apply these skills to the development of Asgardia.

Also, I have a really cool photo of me with a couple of NASA astronauts, which you can view on my candidate profile (link below).

https://asgardia.space/en/blog/candidate/214775-4788-integrating-macro-policy-and-clinical-mental-health-needsnbsp/

(Apologies for all caps. I just copied and pasted from my profile because I'm not re-typing all of that.)

---------------

THE EVENTUAL GOAL OF ASGARDIA IS FOR OUR CITIZENS TO LIVE AND WORK BEYOND EARTH. HOWEVER, EACH ASGARDIAN REMAINS A MEMBER OF THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY HERE ON OUR HOME WORLD. AS SUCH, ALL ASGARDIANS ARE IMPACTED BY MANMADE AND NATURAL EVENTS THAT MAY CHALLENGE OUR SENSE OF SHARED COMMUNITY AND POSE RISKS TO OUR FELLOW CITIZENS. IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENGAGE WITH OTHER NATIONS ON EARTH, ENSURING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF ALL ASGARDIANS ACROSS THE GLOBE. DISCUSSIONS INVOLVING SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL POLICY, SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION, AND SECURITY WILL ALL BE NECESSARY. 

WHAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED IS THE IMPORTANCE OF MEETING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT IS WITHIN THIS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FIELD THAT I INTEND TO OFFER ASGARDIA MY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AS A PRACTICING MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN. IN ADDITION TO MY CLINICAL WORK, I AM A TRAINED SUPPORT RESPONDER (SECOND RESPONDER) FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS. IF WE ARE TO HAVE A HEALTHY SOCIETY, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS ARE ADDRESSED, INCLUDING THE IMPACT FROM MANMADE AND NATURAL EVENTS ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF ASGARDIANS AROUND THE GLOBE. 

I CHALLENGE MY FELLOW MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS, COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND PSYCHIATRISTS TO MAKE SURE OUR INPUT IS COUNTED AND OUR VOICES ARE HEARD IN EVERY RELEVANT COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE. I INTEND TO TOSS MY HAT INTO THE RING, AS IT WERE, AND RUN FOR ONE OF THE POSITIONS UP FOR ELECTION. IT IS A LONG SHOT BUT IT IS WORTH A TRY.