Mental Health First Aid Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1877, the Mental Health First Aid Act of 2015. This act would amend the Public Health Service Act to finance, through grants, mental health first aid programs and would codify the type of training to be included as part of those programs. Mental health is an issue that Congress has attempted to address for years, and this is a great step in the right direction. As a healthcare professional, I have seen firsthand the multitude of issues plaguing mental health patients and the lack of training associated with properly addressing those symptoms and ailments.

This bill also addresses the personnel who should be trained under this program to include law enforcement, first responders, teachers, human resources professionals, religious leaders, nurses and other primary care personnel. By training and assisting those people who would be the first to help someone who is experiencing mental health issues, they can diagnose and properly refer them to professional mental health care providers.
Learning to de-escalate situation is an integral part of this legislation, and to helping those with mental health issues because it prepares first responders on how to safely look after both the patient and others in the immediate area. Mental health is an issue that often flies under the radar, but one we can make serious advances in taking up. I want to thank Congresswoman Jenkins and the Energy and Commerce Committee for their hard work and for bringing this to the floor for a vote. Together, we can shine a light on mental health needs. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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