He's going to push for a national mental health initiative based on California's Mental Health Services Act.

Steinberg first urged the Obama administration to consider Proposition 63 after the Newtown school shootings last month.

STEINBERG: "Based on our experience in California, we believe that a ten billion dollar investment nationally would save untold numbers of lives and help untold numbers of people." 

Steinberg says the mental health system should be strengthened in order to address the conditions that drive people to harm themselves or others.

He proposes a national framework that includes money for prevention, school-based health centers, and services for people with severe mental illness.