APA has endorsed legislation that aims to improve the mental health and well-being of young children and their families. The Early Childhood Mental Health Support Act (H.R. 6509opens in new window), introduced by Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), would provide funding for Head Start programs to implement evidence-based mental and behavioral health interventions.
“Early childhood is a critical period in development which sets the stage for long-term mental health. APA applauds Representative DeSaulnier’s leadership in promoting children’s healthy social and emotional development by creating opportunities for Head Start centers to expand evidence-based interventions for parents and children through best practices, enhanced curricula, and increased training,” said APA’s CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD.
The endorsement continues recent APA work related to child and adolescent mental health, including testimony before the Senate by Mitch Prinstein, PhD, APA’s chief science officeropens in new window; engagement with the U.S. surgeon general on the development of the youth mental health advisory; and joining the Sound the Alarm for Kids campaign, which aims to amplify the urgent need to address children and adolescent mental health at the national level.
For more information, contact Kenneth Polishchuk.