Reps. Napolitano, Gibson announce Mental Health in Schools Act
Washington, Mar 6 – Representatives Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32) and Chris Gibson (R-NY-19) reintroduced the Mental Health in Schools Act (H.R. 1211) this week to fund on-site school-based mental health services for youth.
“The Mental Health in Schools Act is a critically-needed investment in our most precious resource—our children,” said Congresswoman Napolitano. “Peers, school personnel, and families can help students, but they need to be trained how to identify needs. This proposal educates on the warning signs and symptoms of mental illness, so students can be referred directly to clinicians on site. Our 26-school suicide prevention program in California has proven its value by providing services to children right on school grounds—raising mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and saving lives. We are tremendously grateful to Congressman Gibson for cosponsoring this bill to promote mental wellness and reduce stigma, ensuring a brighter future for our youngsters.”
“As a parent and former educator, I am proud to join Congresswoman Napolitano in reintroducing the Mental Health in Schools Act,” said Congressman Gibson. “Ready access to quality mental health services should be available to all of our students. This legislation goes a long way to seeing that our young people are able to get the support they need to live life to their fullest potential.”
The Mental Health in Schools Act, which Congresswoman Napolitano introduced in the previous four Congresses, would create $200 million in grant funding for 200 schools across the country to partner with local non-profit organizations to provide on-site mental health services for students.
H.R. 1211 is patterned after a successful pilot program that began in four schools in 2001 and has now expanded to 26 schools throughout California’s San Gabriel Valley, an area represented by Congresswoman Napolitano.
Congressman Gibson and his wife Mary Jo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, are long-time advocates for mental health programming and suicide prevention efforts among students, veterans, and military families.
