S.2661 988 Suicide HotlineOn May 13, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. 2661, The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, to establish 9-8-8 as a nationwide hotline for suicide prevention and mental health crises—making it easier for people in crisis to receive immediate and appropriate mental health support.
Urge your Representative to immediately pass this important bill in the House so it can become a reality. |
Too often, mental health does not get the attention and resources it deserves. Even before COVID-19, our country was experiencing a mental health, substance use and suicide crisis – resulting in too many lives lost and too many people without the care they need.
Now, with the combination of a global pandemic, economic downturn, and growing public attention to racial inequities, people are struggling more than ever. Today, more than 1 in 3 people in the U.S. have symptoms of anxiety or depression, with even greater increases for Black and Asian Americans. At the same time, people with severe mental illness are facing daunting barriers to getting intensive services and emergency care.
We need more mental health care, not less—especially now. While community mental health services are needed more than ever, resources are stretched thin. State and local governments are already seeing less revenue and, without support from Congress, may cut mental health and addiction services.
Tell your U.S. Senators to invest in mental health in future COVID-19 relief legislation. We need the Senate to:
Make more of an impact: Add a personal story to the template email to your Senators on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health of you or somebody you know.
Now, with the combination of a global pandemic, economic downturn, and growing public attention to racial inequities, people are struggling more than ever. Today, more than 1 in 3 people in the U.S. have symptoms of anxiety or depression, with even greater increases for Black and Asian Americans. At the same time, people with severe mental illness are facing daunting barriers to getting intensive services and emergency care.
We need more mental health care, not less—especially now. While community mental health services are needed more than ever, resources are stretched thin. State and local governments are already seeing less revenue and, without support from Congress, may cut mental health and addiction services.
Tell your U.S. Senators to invest in mental health in future COVID-19 relief legislation. We need the Senate to:
- Provide flexible resources that allow states to continue or expand mental health services like mobile crisis units, peer supports, and suicide prevention
- Give mental health providers the financial support they need to stay open and provide care to people with mental illness
- Continue the availability of telehealth services by extending new regulations
- Ensure continuity of mental health care for individuals leaving jails and prisons
Make more of an impact: Add a personal story to the template email to your Senators on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health of you or somebody you know.
