There has been a flurry of activity since the start of the fall Congressional Session, and with that comes an opportunity to endorse legislation. In September, Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) signed several policies supporting and strengthening the crisis care continuum. On September 12, Vibrant endorsed the introduction of the STOP Suicide Act, which would create a grant program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand the use of evidence-based models for stabilizing individuals with serious thoughts of suicide. As part of the endorsement, Vibrant joined a letter from various mental health organizations offering support and thanks to Representative Raskin and Representative Bacon for their leadership. 

On the same day, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury released final rules to clarify and strengthen protections to expand equitable access as guaranteed by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. To further strengthen the equity of mental health coverage, Vibrant and several other mental health organizations signed onto a letter urging the Appropriations Chairs in both chambers to secure an adequate amount of funding for the analysis of health plans’ parity compliance. Additionally, Vibrant signed onto a letter supporting the Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act prior to its introduction, which will improve the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) by allowing 5% of funds to be used for prevention and early intervention services. Investment in prevention and early intervention is key to ensuring individuals get the assistance they need before more serious interventions are required. This is especially important for children and young adults, who are experiencing record rates of mental health challenges.