As part of NABITA’s continuing efforts to lend our policy expertise to leaders within the halls of Congress, NABITA is pleased to announce that we have recently endorsed the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act of 2021 (bill number TBA). If enacted, this bill would grant the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the authority to provide funding directly to school districts for strengthening behavioral health awareness through planning and prevention efforts, public health campaign materials, and other activities. The bill is led in the Senate by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and will be formally introduced in the coming weeks.
The Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act of 2021 has already been introduced in the House (HR 1803). Led by Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), the bill has garnered 19 cosponsors and an impressive list of external supporters, including the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Counseling Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychoanalytic Association, and the American Psychological Association just to name a few. NABITA will continue to monitor these bills and keep the membership updated on their progress!
BIG Act
As a friendly reminder, NABITA is still encouraging members to reach out to their home state Senators and ask that they support the BIG Act (S 1383). Your voice matters to Members of Congress and can make a real difference! For your convenience, NABITA has created a member activation page with a sample email draft and all the information you need to reach out to your Senator.