As an affiliate of Mental Health America (MHA), the Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) Public Policy & Government Affairs team joined advocates from across the country on February 29th for MHA's virtual "Hill Day." Vibrant's State Policy Managers met with twelve congressional offices urging legislators to take action on mental health issues. The asks included four FY25 appropriations requests and two pieces of behavioral health-related legislation:
- Increase funding to $1.26 billion for the mental health block grant
- Fund the 988 Lifeline and Crisis Services at $981.9 million ( $756.9 million for the Lifeline and $225 million for 988 awareness)
- Fund the Behavioral Health Coordinating Unit for youth within the CDC ACES program at $225 million
- Fund youth peer support research at NIH with appropriations report language
- Co-sponsor the Peers in Medicare Act, bipartisan legislation to cover peer support in community settings
- Co-sponsor the Youth Mental Health Research Act (S. 3060/ H.R.5976), bipartisan legislation authorizing funding for long-term, collaborative studies at NIH on youth mental health interventions
Vibrant is proud to be an affiliate of Mental Health America and is grateful for their leadership in coordinating a successful Hill Day experience.
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