A looming mental health crisis
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The COVID-19 pandemic is
pushing America into a mental health crisis that the U.S. is not prepared for—unless Congress acts now. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use are
all on the rise, and huge increases in unemployment increase the risk of
suicide.
Social isolation,
financial distress, fears about health and an uncertain future are fueling a
mental health epidemic alongside the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congress must address
this growing mental health crisis. Urge your U.S. Representative to:
- Protect state and local capacity to provide mental health
services. State
and local governments are on the verge of making widespread cuts. They need
emergency funds to be able to preserve mental health services and meet the growing
demand.
- Respond rapidly to the mental health crisis. Helplines are experiencing exponential increases in calls as people struggle. We need to establish and fully fund 9-8-8 as the nation’s three-digit hotline for effective mental health crisis care and suicide prevention.
- Protect people with mental illness who are justice-involved. To address the alarming gaps in our health system’s ability to care for people in custody, and as they are released to the community, we need to ensure a coordinated response and connections to care.
Congress has the
opportunity to elevate mental health care in this time of need. Email your member of Congress today and urge them to act quickly to
prioritize mental health.
Want to have more of an impact? Add a personal story on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health of you or somebody you know.