Yesterday Rep. Terri Sewell announced her support for a bipartisan legislative package that aims to strengthen access to care for mental illness and substance use disorders. Sewell has been committed to mental health access, previously voting for $4 billion of funding for mental health and substance use services through the American Rescue Plan.
Sewell voted for the bipartisan bill called Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act. It will reauthorize key Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs to address the national mental health and substance use disorder crises. The bill will expand more than 30 federal programs to address widespread shortages in mental health professionals and other barriers to care. This legislation passed the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 402-20.
“It’s no secret that our nation suffers from a mental health crisis which was only made worse by the hardship and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Sewell. “Congress has a responsibility to provide the resources Alabamians need to seek care during times of need. Today, I proudly voted to strengthen Alabamians’ access to mental health and substance use services. This legislation marks a critical step toward addressing our mental health crisis by removing barriers to care and investing in our mental health workforce.”
Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 34. Additionally, more than 2 million Americans suffer from an opioid use disorder, and nearly 108,000 Americans died due to a drug overdose last year. However, approximately 122 million Americans live in areas experiencing a shortage of qualified mental health professionals.
The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act will bridge these gaps and connect Americans to urgently needed health services:
- Strengthening Crisis Resources, including suicide prevention, mental health support, substance use disorder services, recovery housing, and other services.
- Addressing America’s Opioid Epidemic by easing access to life-saving treatments and strengthening training requirements for practitioners who prescribe controlled substances.
- Investing in the Behavioral Health Workforce through additional training grants and state funding.
- Supporting Young People’s Mental Health by strengthening pediatric mental health care, Medicaid behavioral health services, and suicide prevention resources for college students.
The House is also preparing to advance the STRONG Veterans Act to strengthen mental health services and suicide prevention resources for veterans.
