Dear Friend,

Since the beginning of the pandemic, mental health issues in America have skyrocketed. While our health care system has without a doubt been overburdened, one real glimmer of hope for those suffering with mental health issues has been Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC).

In short, these 24-hour clinics are focused on addressing mental health and substance abuse care no matter who you are or whether you have the ability to pay. They are cost-effective and have the requisite independence to be creative and meet local needs. These clinics have been found to decrease homelessness and reduce emergency room visits due to mental needs.

That is why I’m excited about a recent announcement: $15 million, on top of almost $300 million already announced, will be awarded early next year to build out and increase access to more CCBHCs. This funding comes from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which I helped pass during this Congress and will make a real difference all across the country.

I’m proud that in Maryland alone, we have five CCBHCs that are doing an outstanding job to address this issue through creative and effective measures. I will continue to fight to create more clinics just like these as well as increase access to the ones we have. No one should ever be denied critical care just because of their circumstances. Mental health affects all of us and that is why we must do everything we can to address it head-on.

Sincerely,

Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress