WASHINGTON DC — Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the launch of their bipartisan caucus on mental health in the Senate. . In the midst of a national mental health crisis, the Senate Mental Health Caucus will serve as a forum for senators to collaborate and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, host events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues and to destigmatize mental health. The caucus will work to improve prevention and early intervention efforts, expand the nation’s professional mental health workforce, improve our nation’s crisis response services, and increase access to evidence-based mental health treatment and common-sense solutions for all Americans.
Daniel Gillison, Jr., executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and Laurel Stine, vice president of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), joined senators to announce the launch. U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Shelley Moore Capito (RW.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski ( R-Alaska) are also members of the caucus.
“I believe everyone should have access to quality mental health care, regardless of insurance, zip code or age.” said Senator Smith. “Mental health care is not a partisan issue – it is something that affects Americans in red states as well as blue states. Today’s launch represents a renewed commitment and focus on working together on bipartisan legislation and solutions. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue to combat the mental health care crisis in this country.
“Our nation has long faced growing mental health issues that have touched the lives of all Americans, but we know there are bipartisan solutions to address this crisis,” » said Senator Padilla. “People are finally starting to wake up to the scale of our mental health crisis – and the wall of stigma that prevents too many people from getting help is starting to come down. Now we must ensure that resources are available to get Americans the help they need. I am proud to announce this bipartisan caucus alongside Senators Tillis, Smith and Ernst, so we can come together to find help and solutions for the millions of Americans who are suffering in silence.
“Our country is experiencing a mental health crisis, from children to adolescents to seniors, and it is high time for us to prioritize mental health care. That’s why I have worked on a bipartisan basis to expand access to evidence-based mental health care for all Americans, including the creation of the 988 Suicide Hotline, until drafting and passing the bipartisan Safer Communities Act which marked the largest investment in the community. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care Based on American History,” » said Senator Tillis. “However, the work is not done and I am honored to join Senator Padilla in creating the Senate Mental Health Caucus, where we can discuss, advocate and support continued investment in mental health care.” I hope that together we can work to raise awareness, expand education, and continue to destigmatize mental health care for Americans nationwide.
“I am honored to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health, so people can receive the support they deserve.” Together, we will work to improve care for mental health issues on behalf of our Iowa veterans, farmers and families and improve the health of all Americans. » said Senator Ernst.
“Mental health is the bipartisan issue of our time, and it is inspiring to see the creation of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus” said Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI. “NAMI thanks Senators Padilla, Tillis, Ernst and Smith for their leadership on mental health. We are excited to work with the new caucus to build better lives for everyone affected by mental health issues.
“The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) thanks Senators Alex Padilla, Thom Tillis, Tina Smith and Joni Ernst for their leadership in launching the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus” said Laurel Stine, JD, MA, executive vice president and chief policy officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “The launch of the Senate Mental Health Caucus comes at a critical time as our country faces a mental health crisis that impacts people across the lifespan, with suicide being the 11th leading cause of death in the United States . AFSP looks forward to working with the Caucus to raise awareness of mental health issues, promote bipartisan policy solutions, and help reduce stigma to improve mental health and prevent suicide.
In recent years, Congress has worked on a bipartisan basis to implement critical mental health services, including creating the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, permanently expanding the successful Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Program Certified Community-Based (CCBHC), expanding access to suicide prevention programs for veterans and building mental health infrastructure in elementary and secondary schools. Last year, Congress also took a historic step forward with the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which includes major investments in community mental health services. The Senate Mental Health Caucus will work to ensure these investments are effective and improve the lives of American families as they work to build on this historic bipartisan legislation.
As a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee, Senator Smith is a leader in the fight to make mental health care more affordable and accessible. As part of the American Rescue Plan, Smith adopted bipartisan provisions with Senator Murkowski to provide expanded access to community mental health care and harm reduction services. She also introduced a series of bipartisan laws aimed at increase mental health services for students, improve integrated care, increase access to telemental healthAnd invest in mental health staff. Last year she presented the Medicaid Protection Act expand access to mental health services for low-income families and children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Smith also spoke about Senate Hall and regularly share his story about her personal experience with depression in an effort to destigmatize discussions about mental health.
The Senate Mental Health Caucus’ full mission statement is available here.
A recording of the press conference is available here.
Additional photos from the press conference are available here.
