APA Services worked alongside the office of Representative Grace Napolitano (D–California)opens in new window to develop the Mental Health in Schools Act (H.R. 8444)opens in new window, which would establish two grant programs within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: The School Mental Health Awareness Grant Program would provide funding for K–12 schools to establish programs that promote mental health, destigmatize mental health conditions, and familiarize students with mental health resources; and the Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program would provide funding for high schools for programming that promotes careers in mental health. Napolitano introduced the bill with Representative Becca Balint (D–Vermont).
Amid our nation’s current shortage of mental health providers, it is vital to educate young people about the benefits of pursuing careers in mental health. In endorsing the Mental Health in Schools Act, APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, noted: “Introducing young people early to the benefits of careers in mental health can help ensure the future of our workforce. We applaud Congresswoman Napolitano’s and Congresswoman Balint’s leadership for introducing this much-needed bill.”
Napolitano and Balint were joined by 16 additional original cosponsors, and the legislation has been endorsed by 17 organizations. APA Services will continue to advocate for the passage of this vital legislation. See Napolitano’s original press release for more informationopens in new window.
For more information, contact Kenneth Polishchuk and Raegina Likewise.