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Washington, DC – This week, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton voted for a bipartisan legislative package strengthening access to care for Virginians grappling with mental illness and substance use disorders. Advancing President Biden’s bold vision for a bipartisan Unity Agenda, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act will strengthen and expand more than 30 federal programs to address widespread shortages in mental health professionals and other barriers to care. This legislation passed the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 402-20.

“Too many Virginians struggling with mental health and substance abuse aren't able to access the resources they need to get help," said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “With this bipartisan bill, we're taking action to close that gap in care by strengthening mental health support programs, investing in substance use and abuse disorder treatment and recovery, expanding services for pregnant and new moms experiencing mental health challenges, and bolstering the behavioral health workforce. I'm committed to tackling the mental health and substance abuse crises which are afflicting Virginians—especially young Virginians—in every community, and will continue working to deliver the care and support they deserve.”

A majority of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, and suicide remains the second leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 34. Additionally, more than 2 million Americans suffer from an opioid use disorder, and nearly 108,000 Americans died due to a drug overdose last year.  Despite this urgent need for care, approximately 122 million Americans live in areas experiencing a shortage of qualified mental health professionals. Even among individuals with health insurance, coverage limitations and financial barriers continue to increase cost and delay care.

The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act takes several steps to bridge these gaps and connect Americans to urgently needed health services:

• Strengthening Crisis Resources, including suicide prevention, mental health support, substance use disorder services, recovery housing, and other services.
• Addressing America’s Opioid Epidemic by easing access to life-saving treatments and strengthening training requirements for practitioners who prescribe controlled substances.
• Investing in the Behavioral Health Workforce through additional training grants and state funding.
• Supporting Young People’s Mental Health by strengthening pediatric mental health care, Medicaid behavioral health services and suicide prevention resources for college students.

This legislation is the latest step in House Democrats’ fight to strengthen Americans’ access to critical mental health resources. Wexton previously voted to deliver $4 billion for mental health and substance use services through the American Rescue Plan. The House is also preparing to advance the STRONG Veterans Act to strengthen mental health services and suicide prevention resources for veterans.

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