West SGV News

WASHINGTON, DC – On May 25, Reps. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-31) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), along with 62 original cosponsors, proudly introduced the Mental Health Services for Students Act, to fund on-site mental health services for youth in schools nationwide.

“The lack of school-based mental health services, which predates the pandemic, has gone on for far too long; the time is now to give our young people access to the services they deserve," Napolitano said. "I am very proud to introduce the Mental Health Services for Students Act with my co-lead, Congressman Fitzpatrick, to equip schools with funding to establish comprehensive mental health services during this unprecedented crisis and to prepare for the future mental health needs of their students. I thank him and all of our colleagues for supporting this legislation to further reduce stigma, promote mental wellness, and connect our future leaders to life-saving care."

“It is clear that students in schools are continuing to grapple with various mental health challenges as our nation rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “That is why I am proud to co-lead the Mental Health Services For Students Act, which will increase access to more adequate mental health resources that our students so desperately need.”

The Mental Health Services for Students Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 349 to 74, on May 12, 2021 but was never considered by the Senate. The bill creates a total of $300 million in grant funding for public schools across the country to provide on-site, culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services for students. The proposal educates the entire school community—from students and their families, to teachers, administrators, and support personnel—on the warning signs and symptoms of mental illness to help identify and treat mental health issues before they escalate. It is patterned after a successful pilot program started in 2001 in Napolitano's area, which began in four schools that has now expanded to 35 schools throughout Los Angeles County, including much of the San Gabriel Valley.

Joining Napolitano and Fitzpatrick as original cosponsors are: Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL-04); Ro Khanna (D-CA-17); Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37); Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06); Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04); Donald Payne (D-NJ-10); Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS-02); Mark Takano (D-CA-39); Gregori Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP); Kathy Castor (D-FL-14); Sean Casten (D-IL-06); Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12); Dean Phillips (D-MN-03); Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14); James P. McGovern (D-MA-02); Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-02); Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11); Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE); Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23); Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29); Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC); Gwen Moore (D-WI-04); Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA-38); David J. Trone (D-MD-06); Mark Pocan (D-WI-02); Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15); Doris O. Matsui (D-CA-07); Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03); Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24); Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02); Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-07); Judy Chu (D-CA-28); Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10); Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18); Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34); Katie Porter (D-CA-47); Bill Keating (D-MA-09); Angie Craig (D-MN-02); Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07); Scott Peters (D-CA-50); Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02); Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01); Joe Neguse (D-CO-02); Adam Schiff (D-CA-30); Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44); Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08); Seth Moulton (D-MA-06); Barbara Lee (D-CA-12); Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09); Nikema Williams (D-GA-05); Steve Cohen (D-TN-09); Dina Titus (D-NV-01); Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29); Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24); Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01); Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07); Norma Torres (D-CA-35); Josh Harder (D-CA-09); Betty McCollum (D-MN-04); Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05); Ann Kuster (D-NH-02); and Susan Wild (D-PA-07).

If you or someone you know needs help, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.

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Education Mental Health

Original source can be found here.