As policymakers focused on the response and recovery from COVID-19, social isolation, stress, anxiety, and depression among youth have risen to crisis levels.
The fragmented mental health care system is reflected in the seven congressional committees that each have jurisdiction over authorizing and funding critical health care, research, and education programs that are needed to provide comprehensive solutions. APA and psychologists have been urging investments in psychological research, health promotion and prevention, integrated care, and in programs that train culturally competent psychologists and offer loan repayment for clinicians to work in communities most in need.
Congress and the Biden administration continue to seek the input of APA and diverse psychologists as they work on developing evidence-based solutions to ongoing and new threats to our nation’s mental health. House and Senate committees have invited leading psychologists to share their evidence-based recommendations on ways to improve youth mental health, treat substance use disorders, prevent suicides, promote health equity, and reduce workforce shortages.