From Mental Health America in DC:.
Dear advocate:
The House and Senate are negotiating and end of year spending package and we need your help ensuring youth peer support grants to K-12 schools are included in a final package. If you would share this alert with your contacts in Washington, New Jersey, and Utah so that as many letters are emailed to Congresswoman Rodgers (WA), Congressman Pallone (NJ), and Congressman Curtis (UT) are sent, it would help us. Right now we need peer support champions to help push HR 9684, the Peer to Peer Mental Health Supports Act over the finish line. This bill has no cost and is supported by youth and young adults that MHA has worked closely with since it’s initial introduction last congress.
Thank you for sharing the alert below with your networks and taking it yourself. All calls, emails, and sharing is helpful. We must stand up for youth mental health needs and pressure leaders to include this bill in the final SUPPORT Act.
Warmly,
Caren
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Caren H. & Kelly D., Mental Health America <mhapostmaster@mhanational.org>
Date: Mon, Dec 9, 2024 at 11:54 AM
Subject: REMINDER: Washington, New Jersey, and Utah Advocates: Counting on You to Contact Congressional Leaders!
To: Caren Howard <choward@mhanational.org>
 Hello again, Caren! This is a reminder to our Mental Health America advocates from Washington, New Jersey, and Utah to please take action now to advance legislation authorizing funding for youth peer support in schools. Please urge your Representative to request that House leadership prioritize the inclusion of H.R. 9684, the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act, in the SUPPORT Act as part of an end-of-year government funding package. The Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act would allow peer mental health programs to be eligible for federal funding under SAMHSA’s Project AWARE grants which would help school districts facilitate peer programs in middle and high schools. Youth peer support in schools is in high demand as students request tools and skills to help themselves and their classmates better manage their mental health. It is critical to respond to their needs and to equip them with non-clinical practices like peer support which empower individuals to help themselves and grow connections in the community. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee successfully passed the bipartisan Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act within S. 3393. An identical House companion bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and was led by bipartisan sponsors Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) and Congressman John Curtis (R-UT). Contact your Member today by completing this alert, and by calling the U.S. House Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and asking to be connected to Chair McMorris Rodgers (WA), Ranking Member Pallone (NJ), or Congressman Curtis (UT). Thank you for your advocacy! Sincerely, Caren Howard, Sr. Director of Policy & Advocacy, Mental Health America Kelly Davis, VP of Peer & Youth Advocacy, Mental Health America Take Action Now |