FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sophia Majlessi
SophiaM@TheNationalCouncil.org
(202) 621-1631
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 10, 2020) – We had an exciting new opportunity this week to amplify the conversation about our nation’s behavioral health crisis and promote our important legislative agenda.
The White House invited the National Council to participate in a conversation about mental health and addiction, and I happily accepted the invitation to join the call on Thursday. As we work hard to raise awareness about the significant issue facing community behavioral health organizations, this platform provided another avenue to deliver that message.
I’m so thankful that the administration has demonstrated a willingness to address the nation’s growing behavioral health crisis and thankful that they started a dialogue. We are committed to working with the administration on your behalf.
We appreciate this new dialogue with the White House. We also are continuing a very important conversation with lawmakers on The Hill over our request for emergency funding, so you have access to the financial resources you need to remain open throughout the pandemic.
As you know this week, we made an urgent request to Congress this week for $38.5 billion to support organizations that deliver mental health and substance use services because the pandemic caused by COVID-19 is decimating clinics and creating enormous barriers to access.
The funding request followed a plea to Vice President Pence last week to help locate personal protective equipment for behavioral health care providers.
I know so many of you are in the fight of your lives, but please understand we are doing everything we can to make sure you win this fight.
We have your backs.
Thanks.
Chuck
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About the National Council for Mental Wellbeing
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 3,326 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced Mental Health First Aid USA and more than 2 million Americans have been trained.
About The National Council
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of over 3,400 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 3 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.