The COVID-19 pandemic exposed both physical and mental health disparities in Black and Brown communities. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Black and Latinx children have witnessed more illness and death related to the COVID-19 pandemic and higher rates of anxiety and depression in comparison to non-minority youth. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among teens aged 15 to 19 with suicide rates for Black teens increasing faster than any other racial or ethnic group. Across the country, there are growing demands for increased access to affordable quality mental health care.
The Pursuing Mental Health Parity Act, sponsored by Senator Menendez (D-NJ), was introduced in the Senate on May 24, 2021. It is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. This bill is designed to address racial and ethnic disparities in mental health programming. If passed, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would provide funding to establish interprofessional behavioral health care teams at community mental health centers, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and in behavioral health programs serving racial and ethnic minority groups. The HHS would also be able to award grants to target development and enhancement of cultural competencies curricula used in training psychologists, social workers, and other behavioral health workers as well as for research focused on mental health disparities and the effect of social media use on adolescents. HHS would consult with advocacy groups to strategize how to reduce stigma related to mental health disorders and substance use disorder and to establish a plan for outreach to racial and ethnic minorities. In addition, the bill would reauthorize and expand the minority fellowship program to support the education of mental health professionals who focus on providing services to racial and ethnic minorities.
The Pursuing Mental Health Parity Act is supported by several organization including the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, Sandy Hook Promise, Trevor Project, Mental Health America, and the National Hispanic Medical Association. As currently proposed, the HHS would authorize $650 million to the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities to enhance clinical programming and research to address racial and ethnic disparities. To track the status of this bipartisan bill, please refer to S.1795 – Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act. Additional current congressional acts of interest include the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 and the KIDS CARE Act. If passed, this would allow for increased access to school-based mental health services, screenings and services for youth in the juvenile justice system, and same-day billing for both primary care and behavioral health services.