There are nowhere near enough mental health professionals to assist all the people who experience mental and behavioral health problems today, and with so many experiencing population-level traumas from things like the climate crisis, rising gun violence, housing and food insecurity, racial discrimination, and COVID-19, community-based initiatives that help the entire population strengthen their capacity for mental wellness and resilience are a critical need.
The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act of 2023, introduced in the House by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) and in the Senate by Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), will create a grant program to fund local organizations and empower communities to prevent and heal mental health problems caused by all types of stressors and adversities, including climate change-generated disasters and emergencies.
Take the time to contact your members of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act.