Politics. On Point.

Amid mass shootings and other acts of violence, thought to be spawned by mental health crises, the White House has announced measures to support those with mental health issues through H.R. 7666,  The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 . Taking a mental break is okay. States the Office of Management and Budget, " Our nation faces an unprecedented mental health crisis among people of all ages, one that has been exacerbated by the pandemic and continuing acts of mass violence.  At the same time, more than one million Americans have lost their lives to drug overdoses over the past two decades, devastating their families, our communities, and nation as a whole." H.R. 7666 reauthorizes critical programs to deliver and support mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services, including those focused on people experiencing homelessness, underage drinking, and jail diversion programs.  A full statement can be found her...

In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre anniversary, and several other incidents of gun violence where suspected perpetrators may have had mental issues, the Obama administration is investing more funding  to ensure those with mental health issues can get the necessary help they may need.   Today, the White House and Vice President Biden announced that $100 million will soon be available to increase access to mental health services and improve mental health facilities.   “The fact that less than half of children and adults with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need is unacceptable.  The President and I have made it a priority to do everything we can to make it easier to access mental health services, and today’s announcements by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture build on that commitment,” said Vice President Biden.   Over the past several years, the Administration ha...