A bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to congressional leadership, urging that funding for mental health and addiction treatment providers be included in the next coronavirus relief package.
The Wednesday letter claimed facilities treating mental health and substance abuse disorders across the country are at risk of closing amid the pandemic. To combat potential closures, lawmakers are requesting $38.5 billion in emergency funding for behavioral health organizations with a significant portion of the funds set aside for facilities enrolled in Medicaid and those that serve underinsured and uninsured people.
The letter was signed by 76 legislators in total, both from the House and Senate. Among those supporting the effort include Republican Rep. John Katko of New York and several prominent Democrats, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California.
“The numbers of Americans struggling with mental illness will only continue to grow as families and individuals face the emotional and economic repercussions of the pandemic,” it read.
To qualify for the emergency funding, behavioral health organizations must meet one of three criteria, including being accredited by an independent, national accrediting organization, receiving state or tribal funding, or qualifying as a community mental health center as defined by the Public Health Service Act.
Mental health concerns over increased measures of social isolation and economic uncertainty during the pandemic have been at the forefront of the national conversation. Emotional support lines have received an uptick of calls, while counseling services have gone virtual or been postponed. President Trump has even warned that suicides may increase amid the tanking economy and stay-at-home orders.
Mental Health America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing mental health awareness, found in a 2019 report that youth mental health has worsened in the number of those aged between 12-17 experiencing a major depressive episode. In 2012, 8.7% of youths said they suffered an episode while, in 2017, 13% were confirmed to have one.
Adults suffering from a substance abuse disorder jumped from 8.5% in 2012 to 7.7% in 2017. In youth, there was a slight decrease. Suicidal thoughts among adults also increased from 3.8% in 2012 to 4.2% in 2017. In total, that’s 10.3 million U.S. adults who have contemplated thoughts of suicide.
