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Dear friend, 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to educate the public on the warning signs and symptoms of mental illness, share resources and stories of resilience, and spread hope as we break the silence and end stigma. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the ongoing mental health crisis in our country, and according to the CDC, youth have experienced high and worsening levels of persistent sadness or hopelessness across all racial and ethics groups.

As Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I wanted to provide you with an update on our work in Washington, D.C. Last year, the Bipartisan FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Bill was signed into law, and it funded the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at $7.5 billion, an increase of $970 million from last year's funding, which we desperately need and is still not enough. Included in the legislation, we were able to secure $2.2 million for the University of La Verne’s Institute of Mental Health, which will address the critical shortage of mental health practitioners in the San Gabriel Valley.   

In March, I reintroduced H.R. 1201, the Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act, with the support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and its Department of Mental Health. It provides states, like California, the ability to develop much needed inpatient and residential care for Medicaid-eligible individuals with a serious mental illness. We are also in the process of re-introducing two additional pieces of legislation: the Mental Health Services for Students Act, which would provide pilot funding for public schools to partner with local mental health professionals, and the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act, which would require the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a loan repayment program for mental health professionals to work in designated workforce-shortage areas.

If you or your loved ones need help, here are the resources are that are available:

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources. If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org. Further resources from the Lifeline on risk factors and warning signs can be found here.  

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders at: 1-800-622-HELP (4357).

The Los Angeles County's Department of Mental Health is available to provide mental health support, resources, and referrals on their 24/7 Access Line at: 1-800-854-7771.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides resources on taking care of your mental health, which can be found here.

I encourage all to get involved, educate yourselves, share resources, and if you see someone in distress, help them out. Together we can continue to build a movement and eventually live in a world where there is NO STIGMA.

Sincerely,

Grace F. Napolitano
Member of Congress