Representative Sharice Davids | Representative Sharice Davids Official Website
Representative Sharice Davids | Representative Sharice Davids Official Website
During Pride Month, Representative Sharice Davids reintroduced legislation to improve mental health supports for at-risk LGBTQI+ youth. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey of American teenagers recently found that LGBTQI+ students report significantly worse mental health than other students. Also, nearly half of gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens said they considered committing suicide in the last year. The Pride in Mental Health Act works to close LGBTQI+ mental health information gaps and improve physical and mental health in at-risk youth.
"Youth here in Kansas and across the country continue to struggle with mental health challenges, but we are failing many of our most vulnerable children on this issue," said Davids. "My Pride in Mental Health Act takes a comprehensive and data-driven approach to tackling the mental health crisis among youth in the LGBTQI+ community. To put it simply, by increasing access to mental health supports for our children and teens, we are saving lives."
Specifically, the Pride in Mental Health Act:
- Increases mental health supports for LGBTQI+ youth by developing mental health resources, training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and more.
- Protects at-risk youth by commissioning a report on the mental health and mental health care of LGBTQI+ youth in foster care and other federal social services programs.
- Directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to review and update resources listed on their website that pertain to LGBTQI+ communities.
“According to the Trevor Project this year, nearly one in three LGBTQI+ youth say their mental health is poor most of the time or always due to hateful anti-LGBTQI+ policies and legislation,” said Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15). “This is both heartbreaking and a call to action. As someone who’s struggled with my own mental health much of my life and as the first openly gay Afro Latino elected to Congress, I’m proud to co-lead the Pride in Mental Health Act to improve access to services for at-risk LGBTQI+ youth, who deserve safe and affirming environments and resources to learn, grow, and thrive as their authentic selves.”
“There is a mental health crisis among LGBTQI+ youth across the United States and we need to do a better job supporting this vulnerable community,” said Representative Eric Sorensen (IL-17). “I am proud to help introduce The Pride in Mental Health Act, which ensures that LGBTQI+ youth get the mental health care and resources they need so we can save lives.”
"LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system and among youth that are unstably housed, but the inadequate collection of data on sexual orientation and gender identity makes it challenging to fully assess the vulnerabilities and needs of LGBTQ youth including for mental health support," said David Stacy, Vice President for Government Affairs Director, Human Rights Campaign. "The Pride in Mental Health Act takes several important steps to address these inequities such as ensuring inclusion of LGBTQ+ youth in research programs and data collection as well as funding training for personnel who work with LGBTQ youth. We are grateful to Rep. Sharice Davids for her leadership in introducing this important legislation."
“Our kids who identify as LGBTQI+ far too often face discrimination and experience increases in mental health symptoms and suicidality. Unfortunately, they struggle in accessing the mental health care they need and deserve,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Rep. Davids’ Pride in Mental Health Act will provide grants that improve access to LGBTQI+ youth mental health services and support. NAMI applauds Rep. Davids for introducing this legislation and proudly supports this bill.”
“The American Psychological Association applauds Rep. Sharice Davids for reintroducing the Pride in Mental Health Act. APA has long advocated for mental health supports and services for at-risk children and adolescents, including LGBTQ+ youth,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD., Chief Executive Officer, American Psychological Association. “APA also welcomes provisions in the legislation that enhance the ability of the Substance use And Mental Health Services Administration to respond to behavioral health needs of these young people and close information gaps by collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. This trauma-informed approach is needed more than ever as LGBTQ+ youth are already under a tremendous amount of stress.”
“It’s an unfortunate reality that many LGBTQ+ youth don’t have the safe, welcoming environments that all young people should have,” said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director, GLSEN. “Being excluded, erased, and further stigmatized — by discriminatory policies, peers, and by adults who should protect young people — harms LGBTQI+ youth’s mental health and overall wellbeing. GLSEN commends U.S. Representative Sharice Davids for reintroducing the Pride in Mental Health Act to help fund and evaluate programming that supports LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming mental health programming for youth at school and otherwise. We must address the mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ youth, and this bill will save lives.”
Davids has focused on improving mental health care since taking office, most recently visiting Tyler’s House KC to help launch their summer mental wellness programming. She has helped secure funding for mental health programs in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, and has advocated for stronger mental health supports in schools. She also helped get grant funding to local police departments to hire more behavioral health specialists to the force, including the Overland Park Police Department's new Crisis Action Team. Her legislation to renew federal mental health grant programs for health centers, schools, and law enforcement passed the House last year.
Original source can be found here.
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