Rep. Sewell Votes to Bolster Mental Health and Substance Use Care

Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted for a bipartisan legislative package strengthening access to care for Alabamians grappling with mental illness and substance use disorders. Advancing President Biden's bold vision for a bipartisan Unity Agenda, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act will strengthen and expand more than 30 federal programs to address widespread shortages in mental health professionals and other barriers to care. This legislation passed the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 402-20.

"It's no secret that our nation suffers from a mental health crisis which was only made worse by the hardship and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Rep. Sewell. "Congress has a responsibility to provide the resources Alabamians need to seek care during times of need. Today, I proudly voted to strengthen Alabamians' access to mental health and substance use services. This legislation marks a critical step toward addressing our mental health crisis by removing barriers to care and investing in our mental health workforce."

A majority of Americanswill be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, and suicide remains the second leading cause of deathamong young people between the ages of 10 and 34. Additionally, more than 2 million Americans suffer from an opioid use disorder, and nearly 108,000 Americansdied due to a drug overdose last year. Despite this urgent need for care, approximately 122 million Americans live in areas experiencing a shortage of qualified mental health professionals. Even among individuals with health insurance, coverage limitations and financial barriers continue to increase cost and delay care.

The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act takes several steps to bridge these gaps and connect Americans to urgently needed health services:

• Strengthening Crisis Resources, including suicide prevention, mental health support, substance use disorder services, recovery housing and other services.
• Addressing America's Opioid Epidemicby easing access to life-saving treatments and strengthening training requirements for practitioners who prescribe controlled substances.
• Investing in the Behavioral Health Workforcethrough additional training grants and state funding.
• Supporting Young People's Mental Healthby strengthening pediatric mental health care, Medicaid behavioral health services and suicide prevention resources for college students.

This legislation is the latest step in House Democrats' fight to strengthen Americans' access to critical mental health resources. Sewell previously voted to deliver $4 billion for mental health and substance use services through the American Rescue Plan. The House is also preparing to advance the STRONG Veterans Act to strengthen mental health services and suicide prevention resources for veterans.