Statement in Response to the Introduction of HR 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015

For Immediate Release: June 5, 2015
Contact: Michael King (703-837-4794 or mking@mentalhealthamerica.net) 

Statement in Response to the Introduction of HR 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015
Statement by Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO

Mental Health America concluded its 2015 Annual Conference on June 5, during which we heard from a variety of public officials, including Rep. Tim Murphy, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Chris Murphy, NIMH Director Tom Insel, SAMHSA Director Pamela Hyde, and US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.

It is clear from the remarks of these officials and others that we are at a tipping point where the potential for significant reform of our inadequate mental health system is greater than it has been in a very long time. We look forward to reviewing this legislation over the next week to ten days, after which time we will issue a statement on it.  We also look forward to reviewing other proposals as they are introduced.

We remain committed to prevention, early identification and intervention, integration of health, behavioral health, and other services, and recovery as a goal, and encourage everyone to join with us – as all of our speakers did - in acting B4Stage4, because for too long, we have waited until crises come to act or react. We look forward to working with all public officials in accomplishing this goal.

Through June 19, 2015 please direct all media inquiries to Michael King (mking@mentalhealthamerica.net or 703-837-4794).

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Mental Health America is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all, early identification and intervention for those at risk, integrated care and treatment for those who need it, with recovery as the goal.