Sens. Britt, Klobuchar join forces to tackle youth mental health crisis

In a significant bipartisan effort, U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Ala., joined forces with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., to introduce the Youth Mental Health Research Act. This groundbreaking legislation aims to establish a national Youth Mental Health Research Initiative designed to address the escalating crisis in youth mental health across the United States. The initiative will focus on guiding long-term mental health care strategies, targeting preventive interventions for those at risk, and enhancing treatment options for children and adolescents.

Senator Katie Britt stressed the urgency of the matter, stating, “As the United States contends with a devastating, growing youth mental health crisis, it is more important now than ever that we take meaningful action to protect our nation’s children. Last year, one in three high school girls said that they considered suicide, and almost one in 10 high school students reported actually attempting suicide in the previous 12 months. As a mom, I am proud to introduce this legislation that would support critical research and enable evidence-based solutions to this generational challenge. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to preserve the American Dream for generations to come.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support, stating, “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. Our bipartisan legislation would create a national research initiative to develop evidence-based mental health resources and treatments to address this crisis and ensure young people have the support they need.”

In the House of Representatives, companion legislation is being led by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman,D-NJ, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, D-CA, and Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., R-NJ.

The Youth Mental Health Research Act includes the following key provisions:

Collaboration among Key Agencies: The legislation allows the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) to partner on fundamental and applied research aimed at improving youth mental health.

Support for Research: It supports research in social, behavioral, cognitive, and developmental fields to enhance tools for identifying, supporting, and providing optimal care for young people at risk and those in crisis.

Improved Intervention Delivery: The Act seeks to coordinate research efforts to enhance the targeting and delivery of mental health interventions in clinical and community settings where young people live, play, work, and learn.

In December 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on protecting youth mental health, drawing attention to the national crisis of youth mental health and well-being. Disturbingly, over 2.5 million youth in the U.S. suffered from severe major depression last year, and more than 1 in 5 students seriously contemplated attempting suicide in 2021.

The introduction of this bipartisan legislation marks a significant step forward in addressing the pressing issue of youth mental health in the United States, offering hope for improved support and care for the nation’s youth.