Biden Announces Unity Agenda for Tackling America’s Mental Health Crisis

March 2, 2022 by Alexa Hornbeck
Biden Announces Unity Agenda for Tackling America’s Mental Health Crisis
President Joe Biden speaks at an event in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

WASHINGTON — During his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Biden touched on how the pandemic has increased the mental health challenges Americans face, as disruptions in routines and relationships have led to increases in social isolation. 

“Let’s get all Americans the mental health services they need… and full parity between physical and mental health care, if we treat it that way in our insurance,” said Biden, in his address to a mostly unmasked room of members of Congress, the Cabinet and justices of the Supreme Court.

A recent study finds that two of five adults in the U.S. report symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Research indicates the impact of the mental health crisis has been particularly felt among youth during the pandemic, with rising youth hospitalizations involving suicide and self-harm linked to both school closures and increased use of social media.

“It’s time to strengthen privacy protections, ban targeted advertising to children,” said Biden, Tuesday night.

Through the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act — currently awaiting Biden’s signature — $135 million will also be invested over three years into training health care providers on suicide prevention and behavioral health.

To further address the mental health issues which U.S. adults and children face, Biden plans to provide $700 million in mental health program investments in the FY23 budget.

These programs include the National Health Service Corps, Behavioral Health Workforce and Education Training Program and Minority Fellowship Program — which provide mental health and substance use disorder clinicians with access to scholarships and loan repayment programs if they commit to practicing in rural and underserved communities. 

The FY23 budget also calls for $5 million in research on promising models for treating mental health conditions.

A campaign will be launched to promote help-seeking and self-care among the health care workforce. A national program will be created for peer specialists to convene stakeholders and support national certified peer specialist certification programs across the health care system. 

In the fall of 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services also expects to award over $225 million in training programs to increase the number of community health workers.

Another big part of the agenda, according to Biden, will be to better support the physical and mental health needs of veterans.

Wednesday, House members held a conference on burn pit legislation known as the Burn Pit Benefits bill surrounding military toxic exposure, after the Senate recently passed the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act.

This legislation would provide disability payments and medical care coverage for service members who have developed an illness, such a brain cancer or respiratory illness, relating to hazards like toxic smoke from burn pits. 

“My administration provided assistance in job training, housing, and now helping lower income veterans get VA care, debt free,” said Biden during the State of the Union.

Also included in the agenda, Biden aims to cut cancer death rates by 50% over the next 25 years and turn cancer from a death sentence into a treatable disease by requesting Congress fund the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.

“ARPA-H will have a singular purpose to drive breakthroughs in cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes and more. A unity agenda for the nation,” said Biden. 

Alexa can be reached at [email protected] 

A+
a-
  • Joe Biden
  • mental health
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Mental Health

    March 26, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    White House Holds Roundtable on Black Men’s Mental Health

    WASHINGTON — The White House Office of Public Engagement last week convened a roundtable on the administration’s efforts to support... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The White House Office of Public Engagement last week convened a roundtable on the administration’s efforts to support Black men’s mental health. The event was moderated by Charisse Jones of USA Today, and featured actors Courtney B. Vance and Lamman Rucker; recording artist Raheem... Read More

    March 26, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    NYC to Invest $8M in ‘Substance Use’ Clinic for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

    NEW YORK — The city of New York announced Tuesday that it is investing $8 million in a new health... Read More

    NEW YORK — The city of New York announced Tuesday that it is investing $8 million in a new health and substance use disorder clinic specifically to provide care to pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Mayor Eric Adams and officials from NYC Health +... Read More

    March 25, 2024
    by Jesse Zucker
    What Happens During Burnout and How to Cope

    WASHINGTON — Many of us, from time to time, may feel a little “burned out.” Spreading ourselves too thin with... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Many of us, from time to time, may feel a little “burned out.” Spreading ourselves too thin with work, family, relationships, health and other obligations can take its toll. The term burnout is technically a psychological condition related to the workplace. Since COVID-19 began,... Read More

    March 13, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Researchers Identify Brain Connections Associated with ADHD

    WASHINGTON — After examining more than 8,000 functional brain images of young people with ADHD, researchers have discovered their systems... Read More

    WASHINGTON — After examining more than 8,000 functional brain images of young people with ADHD, researchers have discovered their systems are tied to atypical interactions between the brain’s frontal cortex and the information processing centers deep inside the brain. The research into attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was conducted... Read More

    March 12, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Report Underscores Impact of Pets on Sense of Community, Well-Being

    WASHINGTON — Nine in 10 pet owners say their pets contribute to their having a stronger sense of community, while... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Nine in 10 pet owners say their pets contribute to their having a stronger sense of community, while 83% of adults say they’ve interacted with people they otherwise would not have due to their pets, according to a new survey. The study by Mars... Read More

    How Springing Forward to Daylight Saving Time Could Affect Your Health — and How to Prepare

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Most of America “springs forward” Sunday for daylight saving time and losing that hour of sleep can do more... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Most of America “springs forward” Sunday for daylight saving time and losing that hour of sleep can do more than leave you tired and cranky the next day. It also could harm your health. Darker mornings and more evening light together knock your body clock... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top