During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize the courage and resiliency of tens of millions of Americans living with mental health issues, and we recognize the dedication and dedication of the dedicated mental health professionals who are by their side every step of the way. I would like to express my gratitude to my loved ones. . Mental health care is health care, and my administration will ensure that all Americans have access to the care they need to thrive. we will support you.
Access to medical care when you need it is essential to living a full, productive, and healthy life. This also applies to mental health care. Mental health care helps people find joy and purpose. Ensuring they receive the care they need is about dignity. But for millions of Americans, mental health care is out of reach. In 2020, fewer than half of adults diagnosed with a mental illness received treatment for it. It’s even worse for children: almost 70% of children who need mental health care don’t get it. Imagine being a parent looking for a way to help your child, but no matter how hard you search, you can’t find it. This is an all too common experience as many Americans face mental health issues. Two in five adults report experiencing anxiety or depression, and suicide is the leading cause of death among young people. We know mental health treatment works, but we need to make it more accessible and affordable for all Americans.
That’s why as President, I’ve taken steps to dramatically expand access to mental health care in America. I signed the bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This is the largest investment in youth mental health ever, and we are investing $1 billion of that money to help schools across the country hire and train new mental health counselors. . We also added more than 140 certified community behavioral health clinics across the country. These clinics serve everyone regardless of ability to pay and offer a variety of services, including 24-hour crisis support. We launched 988, a national suicide and crisis lifeline. It allows anyone to connect with a trained crisis counselor by phone, email, or chat. Additionally, my administration has developed new resources to support the mental health and resiliency of frontline workers. Expanded Medicare coverage, added substance use disorder services, and expanded mental health services. Medicaid makes it easier for schools to provide mental health care to millions of children and youth. We also invest in mental health programs that support military members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
We also strive to ensure full mental health equality so that mental health care is covered in the same way as physical health care. We require health plans to identify gaps in the mental health care they provide and to correct them when we find that they do not cover mental health care on par with physical health care. I proposed mandating that changes be made. Finally, we will take steps to ensure that state and local government employees receive the same mental health protections as millions of other Americans who have health insurance on the job. I am. That’s why we’re working to close loopholes so these dedicated public servants can do more. Fewer restrictions on care, lower out-of-pocket costs, and easier access to the mental health care you need.
At the same time, my administration is working to end the opioid and overdose epidemic by cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and increasing public health efforts to save lives. This month, we celebrate the absolute courage of Americans in recovery and reaffirm our commitment to care for those who are suffering.
My administration will also continue to fight to end the youth mental health crisis. That means addressing social media’s contribution to the crisis. I’m calling on Congress to take steps to limit the personal data companies collect, ban advertising to minors, and ensure social media platforms prioritize the health and safety of our nation’s children. continue.
Each of us has a role to play in changing the narrative and ending the stigma around mental health issues. Start by showing compassion, making sure everyone feels comfortable asking for help, and learning the warning signs of emotional distress and suicide. If you are in crisis, contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. If you are a new or expectant mother, you can call 1-833-TLC-MAMA to receive confidential mental health advice from a professional. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need someone to talk to, ask your health care provider or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP Or visit the following site: FindSupport.gov. To anyone struggling with mental health, please know that you are not alone. As Americans, we have a duty of care to reach out to each other and leave no one behind. We are all in this together.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2024 as a National Mental Health Awareness Declaration. Month. I call on citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other organizations to join us and take action to strengthen the mental health of our communities and nation.
In witness of this, I hereby extend my hand on this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord, two thousand twenty-four, and the independence of the United States of America, two hundred and forty-eight.
