Statement on Mental Health Awareness Month From Building Back Together

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2024

STATEMENT ON MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH FROM BUILDING BACK TOGETHER

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Building Back Together Communications Director Blake Goodman released the following statement celebrating the historic investments and progress of the Biden-Harris Administration in supporting those struggling with mental health conditions and their loved ones:

“This Mental Health Awareness Month, Building Back Together stands with Americans across the country whose lives have been impacted by struggles with mental health, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. We take pride in witnessing the historic investments made since the Biden-Harris Administration took office toward increasing access to care, lowering health care costs and supporting the mental health of young Americans.

“From the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — leading to the largest investment in student mental health in our nation’s history — to the expansion of Medicare to cover mental health services, this administration has demonstrated its commitment to creating a safer, healthier nation. These investments are saving lives across the country, and Building Back Together applauds this historic work to ensure Americans have access to affordable, life-saving care.”

In response to the mental health crisis facing many Americans, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken many significant actions, including:

This month alone, the Biden-Harris Administration announced $46.8 million in behavioral health funding opportunities to support youth mental health, the behavioral health care workforce, substance use treatment and recovery, integrated health care solutions and training and technical assistance.
Investing $1 billion through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to provide mental health care to students at school and to train and diversify the pipeline of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists.
Greenlighting and funding the nationwide expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide mental health and substance abuse counseling services to anyone who needs help, regardless of their ability to pay or diagnosis.
Transitioning the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to an easy-to-remember phone number, 9-8-8, and committing more than $400 million – an 18-fold increase in federal support – to ensure people at risk can access trained crisis counselors via phone, chat, and text.
Released a comprehensive public health strategy for reducing military and veteran suicide, including additional capacity for the Department of Veteran Affairs to help veterans get the help they need.

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