Barber, DeGette, Matsui, Napolitano, Tonko Unveil Mental Health Legislation

Statement

Representatives Ron Barber (AZ-2), Diana DeGette (CO-1), Doris Matsui (CA-6), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), and Paul Tonko (NY-20) rolled out legislation Tuesday that would take a comprehensive approach to long-ignored mental health issues. The Strengthening Mental Health in Our Communities Act of 2014 renews a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental illness by maximizing access to and increasing the impact of community-based services, making new investments in prevention and early intervention of mental illness, and advancing research into mental health.

"This plan represents the future of mental health care in the United States," the representatives said in a joint statement. "The challenges we face in closing the critical gap in mental health services can only be overcome by serious and sustained investments in existing programs that have shown to improve the lives of those afflicted with serious mental illness and robust research into new and innovative ways to treat and prevent mental illness. Those affected cannot be separated by party lines and our response must be equally nonpartisan."