WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the adoption of the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act as an amendment to S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013.
The mental health legislation, which reauthorizes and improves programs administered by both the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services related to awareness, prevention, and early identification of mental health conditions, was unanimously approved by the Senate HELP Committee last week. Earlier this year, the Committee held a hearing to assess the state of America’s mental health care system and to discuss ways to improve access to services for those who need assistance.
“Last year’s tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut brought the issue of mental health care to the forefront of public dialogue. Many people across the nation, including the President, have said that we need to take a long, hard look at access to mental health services around the country-and I agree," Harkin said. “Mental health conditions are a ‘silent epidemic,’ affecting one in four Americans every year-with one in 17 affected by serious mental illness. There is consensus among Democrats and Republicans alike that we must do more to ensure that Americans are getting the care that they need to live long and healthy lives.
“Last week, the HELP Committee unanimously approved a bipartisan measure to ensure that more Americans with mental illness can get access to the care and supports they need to live healthy and productive lives. Prevention and early intervention are key parts of this legislation.
“Despite its prevalence, there is still a stigma associated with mental illness, and that stigma results in too many people suffering without access to care that could significantly improve their lives. That is why it is so important that Congress move forward with this vital piece of mental health legislation, which will improve and strengthen the mental health care system in our communities and in our schools," Harkin continued.
Title I of the legislation focuses on school settings, by promoting school-wide prevention through the development of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and encourages school-based mental health partnerships, while Title II of the bill focuses on suicide prevention, helping children recover from traumatic events, mental health awareness for teachers and other individuals, and assessing barriers to integrating behavioral health and primary care. This bipartisan legislation makes targeted improvements designed to improve federal efforts to assist state and local communities in addressing the mental health needs of its citizens.
A section-by-section of the legislation follows.
Title I- Education Programs
Sec. 101. Short Title- Establishes that Title I may be cited as the “Achievement through Prevention Act".
Sec. 102. Purpose- Sets forth the purpose of the title to expand the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, as well as early intervening services in schools to improve student academic achievement, reduce over-identification of individuals with disabilities, and reduce disciplinary problems in schools.
Sec. 103. Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
Title II- Health Programs
Sec. 201. Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization
Sec. 202. Mental Health Awareness Training
Sec. 203. Children’s Recovery from Trauma
Sec. 204. Assessing Barriers to Behavioral Health Integration
Sec. 205. Improving Education and Awareness of Treatments for Opioid Use Disorders
Sec. 206. Examining Mental Health Care for Children
Sec. 207. Evidence-Based Practices for Older Adults
Sec. 208. National Violent Death Reporting System
Sec. 209. GAO Study on Virginia Tech Recommendations
