Steel introduces the Trauma Support and Mental Health in Schools Reauthorization Act, a major step towards improving mental health care access for students nationwide.
U.S. Representative Michelle Steel (R-CA) introduced a new bipartisan congressional bill June 15 that seeks to address the growing mental health crisis among the nation’s youth.
The Trauma Support and Mental Health in Schools Reauthorization Act, introduced in combination with Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), aims to fortify the connection between schools and crucial trauma support and mental health services, thereby enhancing student access to these services.
Representative Steel shared her perspective on the matter, stating, “Our young people are growing up in the midst of a new mental health challenge. This legislation is a commonsense, bipartisan solution to ensuring our children and communities have the support they need. By connecting schools, families, and students to critical resources, this legislation can make a real difference in countless lives for years to come.”
The act will ramp up funding for mental health services within schools and campuses, supporting the development and improvement of essential services like prevention, screening, referral, and treatment for students who require mental health assistance. It also sets out to reauthorize funding to boost student access to evidence-based, culturally relevant trauma support services and mental health care through well-established community organizations.
Adding to this, Representative Budzinski said, “The United States is facing a youth mental health crisis, but early intervention, improved access to mental health care services and culturally relevant support can save and improve lives. I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Steel that will direct greatly needed resources to communities in need as we work to detect and respond to the mental health challenges we are seeing in our schools and communities in Central and Southern Illinois and around the country.”
With its introduction, the proposed law signifies a significant step towards identifying and addressing mental health issues in schools and communities throughout the United States.
