On April 2, the Youth Mental Health Research Act ( H.R. 2587opens in new window/S.1266) was reintroduced by Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Tom Kean, Jr (R-NJ), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Katie Britt (R-AL). The legislation, which was developed by APA Services, directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish and lead a youth mental health research initiative to support and conduct research and “deploy new social, behavioral, development, and cognitive treatments in both clinical and community settings.” The bill also authorizes $100 million in annual funding to support the initiative. The NIH institutes cited in the legislation include the National Institute of Mental Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities.
“Parents, schools, and health care providers all agree—the U.S. must do more to improve youth mental health,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, in a press releaseopens in new window upon the bills’ reintroduction. “The Youth Mental Health Research Act will provide the means for the National Institute of Mental Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities to work together to develop the tools to prevent and treat mental health disorders in our youth. A bigger problem demands a larger, more collaborative research approach to achieve the most impactful response. We thank Senators Klobuchar and Britt and Representatives Watson Coleman, Kean, Jr., and Brian Fitzpatrick for continuing to make this research a priority."
Representative Watson Coleman emphasized that “we have an obligation to ensure young people in this country have the opportunity to live happy, fulfilling lives.” Senator Klobuchar noted that “over the past few years, a rising number of young people have experienced mental health challenges. To understand how we can best support them, we must assess the scope of this youth mental health crisis and take steps to promote recovery and healing.” A father himself, Representative Kean stressed that “nothing matters more to parents than their children’s well-being. This bipartisan bill reaffirms our commitment to investing in vital research for youth mental health, ensuring a healthier future for our children and our nation.”
The legislation was first introduced in the 118th Congress following the successful direct advocacy of APA members who met with their members of Congress to educate them on the need for investments in science to lead the way out of the youth mental health crisis during the June 2023 Advocacy Summit.
APA Services will continue to work with the other organizational supporters of the bills, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Trevor Project, the Children's Hospital Association, The Defensive Line, Girls Inc., the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, the National Black Justice Coalition, Promly, Sandy Hook Promise, the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, Soul Survivors of Chicago, and Wise Chipmunk, to get the legislation passed.
For more information, contact Angela L. Sharpe.