By: Nathaniel Counts, JD, Theresa Nguyen, LCSW, Kelly Davis, and Paul Gionfriddo
November 2015
If Congress successfully reforms America’s mental health system, it could lead to huge savings in service delivery costs. This is the only conclusion that can be drawn from an examination of available research on the subject.
Prevention and early intervention (PEI) is effective, but it only exists in pockets throughout the country. Even when an area implements PEI and gets great results, it can be challenging to continue the program let alone spread it to other places. Because most PEI is paid for through grants, it often requires a motivated community with strong leadership to start and continue PEI.
Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have now introduced the Mental Health Reform Act of 2015 (S. 2680, formerly S. 1945). While Mental Health America has not yet formally endorsed it or its House counterpart, we consider it another important step toward making comprehensive mental health reform a reality in America.
Learn about some of the bills introduced in the 116th Congress and where they fall in line with Mental Health America's legislative priorities: