DMV-Based Non-Profit Calls for Evidence-Based Solutions to Address Unmet Behavioral Health Needs
Washington DC – Earlier this week, ACTNow for Mental Health (ANMH), alongside other national organizations including the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Defying Legal Gravity, DRK Beauty Healing, Mental Health America, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo in response to the Committee’s Request for Information on policy solutions to address unmet behavioral health needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Far too many Americans across the country face barriers to quality behavioral health care, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified this widespread issue,” said Edward Garcia III, MHS, Founder and Board Member of ANMH and Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Social Connection. “We commend the Senate Finance Committee’s commitment to developing legislation to address these barriers and encourage the inclusion of evidence-based solutions throughout the bipartisan legislative effort.”
ANMH’s three-prong approach including advocacy, compassion, and treatment allows the DMV-based non-profit to connect America’s young adults with a network of low-cost or free behavioral health professionals that offer culturally competent care and encourage the advancement of national policies that promote equitable access to care.
“Our mission and strategic priorities focus strongly on advocacy, compassion, and mental health equity and we’re proud to partner with ANMH and voice our support for these important recommendations that address the unmet behavioral health needs that exist in far too many of our communities,” Michael Pollock, CEO of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
Prior to COVID-19, youth in America were facing a behavioral health crisis, illustrated by staggering suicide rates that increased by nearly 60% between 2007 and 2018. In a study conducted in December 2020, over 50% of young adults ages 18-24 reported symptoms of anxiety and or depression. Notably, this crisis disproportionately affects certain populations – with high rates of Black and multi-racial young adults reporting major depression, 56.8% of Latinx youth not receiving treatment for their mental illness, alarming suicide rates among AAPI and LGBTQIA+ youth, and over 17 million young adults with disabilities experiencing frequent mental distress.
“Healing is everyone's birthright. A critical part of exercising this birthright is to ensure that people, in all their diversity, are given equitable access to culturally responsive and affordable mental and behavioral health support,” said Wilma Mae Basta, Founder and CEO of DRK Beauty Healing.
ANMH, alongside other signatories, strongly support the Senate Finance Committee’s efforts to develop a bipartisan legislation package that addresses many of the behavioral health care challenges currently faced by millions of Americans. Specially, the group identified key recommendations including:
Funding for interventions that address behavioral health outside the health sector, including school-based interventions and mental health first aid.
Direct financial support to increase the level of racial, ethnic, and sexual diversity in behavioral health providers and to incentivize providers to deliver care in areas where there are notable shortages.
Development of evidence-based strategies to promote resiliency and prevent burnout in behavioral health providers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Direct financial support for behavioral health integration in geographical areas that lack adequate access to care and a compilation of best practices to develop an integrative approach to behavioral healthcare on a federal level.
Development of specific strategy for underserved populations that addresses stigma and discrimination.
“We thank Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Crapo as well as the Senate Committee on Finance for their distinct focus on responding to our nation’s mental health and substance use crises and for the opportunity to weigh in on practical solutions. Policies that address staff shortages and burnout within the mental health workforce and improve access to quality care – among other proposals – are critical to ensuring that people get the care they need, when they need it,” said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joy Chen
Director of Operations and Strategy
ACTNow for Mental Health is dedicated to expanding access to mental health services and supports, fighting mental and behavioral health stigma, and enhancing health equity. ANMH works to match young adults in need of free or low-cost, culturally competent behavioral health care, with a focus on historically underserved communities including LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), people with physical, intellectual, or mental health disabilities, and people who are uninsured or underinsured. For more information, please visit www.anmh.info.