Senators launch Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus
Author
Blaire Bryant
Naomi Freel
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Key Takeaways
In an era of mounting mental health challenges, Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) launched the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. Currently comprising ten members - five Republicans and five Democrats - the caucus is dedicated to prioritizing mental health, enhancing access to services and eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Here are the top priorities of the Caucus:
- Improve prevention and early intervention.
- Bolster response services, mental health professionals and evidence-based treatment.
- Increase support for mental health.
Bipartisan congressional efforts to address the growing mental health crisis help strengthen the ability of counties to drive impactful policy change, ensure that mental health legislation remains a top priority at the federal level and align with our mission to support behavioral health in our communities.
Counties will continue to support these Congressional efforts by:
- Advocating for key policy priorities that support the county ability to provide mental health services to residents through NACo's Commission on Mental Health and Well-being.
- Partnering with the House's Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus to advance key policies in their Policy Agenda which, in a victory for counties, included several Commission policy priorities.
Resource
Behavioral Health Conditions Reach Crisis Levels: Counties Urge Stronger Intergovernmental Partnership and Outcomes
Featured Initiative
NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
(2023-2024) Counties increasingly handle direct mental health services, acting as the safety net for vulnerable residents and operating crisis lines, hospitals and detention centers. NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing developed reports and united county leaders to address the mental health crisis through four key policy priorities.
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