House Passes Sarbanes Legislation to Bolster Child Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs

Statement

Health Subcommittee Vice Chair Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after the House passed a bipartisan package that would take much-needed action to address the mental health and substance use disorder crises facing our country.

The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act (H.R. 7666) would support mental health care and substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery services for millions of Americans by reauthorizing and strengthening over 30 critical health programs through 2027. This includes two programs at the heart of Congressman Sarbanes' legislation to improve health outcomes for children and adolescents.

"To wrap our arms as a society around children facing mental and behavioral health challenges, I recently introduced H.R. 7248, the Continuing Systems of Care for Children Act, with my colleagues Representatives Joyce, Underwood and Giménez -- a bipartisan bill that I am proud is included in H.R. 7666 today," said Congressman Sarbanes. "These programs connect children and teenagers to services that meet their individual needs and have a sustained, positive impact on their well-being. As we confront the compounding challenges posed by our mental and behavioral health crises and our national gun violence crisis, Congress must provide our children every resource they need to lead safe, healthy lives."

As children and adolescents face new and existing mental and behavioral health challenges, the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances Program funds community-based mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED). To address the unmet needs of children and adolescents at risk for substance use disorders (SUD), the Youth and Family TREE (Enhancement and Expansion of Treatment and Recovery Services for Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and their Families) Grant Program provides effective, quality treatment and recovery programs.

See here for bill text.

See here for a video of his full remarks.

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