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BehavioralHealthProstoCongress.docxAuthors:
National Council for Behavioral Health
Source:
Business Wire (English) . 06/02/2016.
Document Type:
Article
Abstract:
The National Council for Behavioral Health, with support from 14 partner organizations, will urge Congress to take decisive action on a wide array of proposals when they convene in Washington next week. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
Place of Event:
WASHINGTON
Accession Number:
bizwire.c68981846
Database:
Regional Business News
Translate Full Text:
Behavioral Health Pros to Congress: Fund Addiction Recovery Bill, Expand Community Mental Health Network
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The National Council for Behavioral Health, with support from 14 partner organizations, will urge Congress to take decisive action on a wide array of proposals when they convene in Washington next week.
At Hill Day 2016 (June 6 & 7), more than 600 people from 44 states, representing mental and behavioral health providers, administrators, board members, advocates, consumers and community stakeholders, will urge members of Congress to pass crucial mental health and addictions legislation and fund the programs that so many Americans need before they recess for national elections.
When they fan out across Capitol Hill, behavioral health advocates will ask lawmakers to support the Expand Excellence in Mental Health Act (S. 2525/H.R. 4567), tripling the number of states which may participate in a demonstration program to bolster the nation’s mental health and addiction treatment infrastructure. Advocates will also highlight the need to pass the Mental Health First Aid Act (S. 711/H.R. 1877) authorizing $20 million in grants to fund Mental Health First Aid, a public education program that has successfully helped parents, first responders, teachers, veterans and others understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use conditions.
Hill Day attendees will also ask Congress to include funding to fight the nation’s heroin and opioid addiction problem. Specifically, they want full funding for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524/H.R. 953), along with $1.1 billion for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery initiatives proposed in the President’s budget and increases to funding for block grants overseen by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Two other pieces of legislation should be supported, the advocates will argue: the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2015 (S. 1830/H.R. 2759) and the Mental Health in Schools Act (S. 1588/H.R. 1211).
"We are poised to make meaningful improvements in mental health and addiction services," said Linda Rosenberg National Council president and CEO. "We urge Congress to alleviate the suffering of our families, our friends and our neighbors by tackling the heroin and opioid crisis and addressing the desperate need for additional community mental health and addiction treatment capacity."
Hill Day 2016 is held in partnership with NAMI, Mental Health America, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, International Bipolar Foundation, Legal Action Center, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy, National Association of Social Workers, NAADAC the Association for Addiction Professionals, Faces and Voices of Recovery, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, the Network for Social Work Management, Young People in Recovery and Association for Recovery Schools.
For more information on the National Council’s Hill Day visit http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/events-and-training/hill-day/hill-day/ and follow the conversation on Twitter (#HillDay16).
The National Council for Behavioral Health is the unifying voice of America’s mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with 2,500 member organizations, serving 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the USA and more than 500,000 individuals have been trained. In 2014, the National Council merged with the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS). To learn more about the National Council, visit www.TheNationalCouncil.org .
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160602006023/en/
Source: Business Wire (English), 06/02/2016
