Reps. Matsui, Jenkins Introduce the Bipartisan Mental Health First Aid Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 16, 2015
CONTACT:
Jonelle Trimmer (Rep. Matsui) 202-225-7163
Tom Brandt (Rep. Jenkins) (202) 225-6601
Reps. Matsui, Jenkins Introduce the Bipartisan Mental Health First Aid Act
Today, Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) introduced the Mental Health First Aid Act. The bipartisan legislation would expand Mental Health First Aid training to help emergency services personnel, police officers, educators, and the public identify, understand, and respond to mental health issues and disorders.
Mental Health First Aid introduces people to risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems and teaches them a five-step action plan to help people in distress. Studies show that Mental Health First Aid gives people a tangible way to help others, increases their confidence in doing so and improves mental health literacy.
"Mental health has been ignored in our country for far too long. We must increase mental health awareness and knowledge, and decrease stigma," said Congresswoman Matsui. "The Mental Health First Aid Act is an important step toward ensuring that our law enforcement, first responders, teachers, and other members of the community receive the training needed to respond appropriately to someone struggling with mental illness. Mental Health First Aid is currently being used with great success in Sacramento, and this legislation will support those efforts, and help others get started across the country."
"Teachers, first responders, law enforcement officers, veterans, and many other public servants are often on the front lines of persons living with mental illness," said Congresswoman Jenkins. "Mental Health First Aid is making a real difference in our communities and this legislation will ensure that more Americans have access to mental health resources including our veterans and that more communities have the tools needed to help those struggling with mental illness."
The Mental Health First Aid Act is companion legislation to a Senate bill introduced in March by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
Congresswoman Matsui has a history of substantial bipartisan action on mental health, and she works to bolster the full spectrum of behavioral health care from prevention to crisis management. Last year, a demonstration project based on her Excellence in Mental Health Act was signed into law. It will provide an unprecedented $1 billion in new funds for community behavioral health clinics.
###