issues we support

What we fight for.

ANMH supports mental health legislation that is dynamic and intersectional. We advocate for federal policy that addresses access to mental health services and supports, fights stigma related to mental and behavioral health, and advances health equity. At ANMH, we understand that health is much more than genetics and medical care. Instead, the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and play largely affect how healthy we are.

We believe mental health policy should reflect that.

What You can do.

Make your voice heard.

Contact your senators and representative and advocate for issues you care about most. Whether you send an email or make a phone call, we recommend being specific in your ask - take a look at the key issues we have listed below for specific legislation.
Volunteer in your community.

Mutual aid can take many forms and can be local to your own community. Volunteer your time, donate money directly, or offer a service or resource to those who may need the support.
Stay informed.

Staying informed in federal policy, local elections, and community discussions can be the first step in becoming a part of the civic process. When you’re more informed, you’re in a place to engage in meaningful conversations about what matters most to you.

Key issues we support within the 118th Congress.

+ ensure behavioral health parity

Behavioral health care is part of health care, and health plans should treat it as such.
ANMH urges the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury to enforce behavioral health parity laws.
These agencies must ensure health plan compliance with laws including the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing inequalities that disadvantage historically marginalized groups.
According to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), historically-disadvantaged groups have substantially lower access to behavioral health services.

+ Expand Access to Care For Young Adults

Federal legislation to improve behavioral healthcare must include coordinated efforts with colleges and universities.
Up to 44% of college students report having symptoms of depression or anxiety, yet 75% of these students are reluctant to seek help.
ANMH supports legislation that ensures schools have adequate resources for student support, including specialized programs, like suicide prevention programs.
Congress should authorize funding for school-based interventions that allow state and local educational agencies to use grants to improve behavioral health services available to students.
These efforts must also apply to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to ensure all young adults, regardless of education status, have adequate behavioral health resources.
HHS must also implement an outreach and education strategy on behavioral health issues to increase utilization of these programs.

+ expand behavioral telehealth services

Telehealth has played a critical role in meeting the country’s needs for behavioral health services.
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation and Epic Research analysis, 36% of mental health and substance abuse disorder visits were furnished via telehealth between March 2021-August 2021.
ANMH encourages states to extend licensure jurisdictions for behavioral telehealth providers through the end of the calendar year in which public health emergency (PHE) ends.
Congress must take additional action that builds off this legislation to make telehealth flexibilities permanent for private insurers, and encourage states to adopt similar policies.
Future legislation to expand behavioral telehealth services must include reimbursements rates for telehealth visits comparable to in-office visits.

+ Strengthen the Behavioral Health Workforce

ANMH supports efforts to directly address the shortage and lack of diversity in the behavioral health workforce.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), approximately 86% of psychologists in the US are white, meaning minority groups often see providers who do not share similar racial, cultural, and/or ethnic backgrounds.
Cultural competency within the behavioral health workforce is critical to ensure the quality and effectiveness of behavioral health services for all individuals.
Specifically, Congress should increase the amount of federal grants available to students pursuing a career in the behavioral health workforce to use towards tuition and related expenses.
Congress should also establish and disseminate grants to improve the mental health of providers to prevent burnout, especially due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, legislation to strengthen the workforce should ensure providers receive cultural-competency training to ensure providers can best serve individuals from diverse backgrounds.

+ increase Integration & Improve Care Coordination

Congress must provide financial support for behavioral health integration in geographic areas that lack adequate access to care.
Specialist providers, including psychologists and clinical social workers, should be integrated into primary care teams.
HHS should develop the position of Interagency Coordinator for Behavioral Health to coordinate federal programs and activities concerning behavioral health.
Better integration and coordination of care will translate into better patient outcomes.