Petroplex News

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger has introduced the Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act in response to the escalating youth mental health crisis in America. Co-led by Representatives Kathy Castor, John Joyce, and John Sarbanes, this bipartisan legislation aims to provide early intervention and prevention services to children and adults struggling with mental health challenges.

"Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of early intervention in mitigating the severity of mental health challenges among children and adults," said Representative August Pfluger.

Representative Kathy Castor emphasized the importance of prevention and early intervention in addressing mental health issues in children, stating, "Allowing states to use SAMHSA’s Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funding for prevention and early intervention is a common-sense approach that will allow us to meet an urgent need."

Representative John Joyce, a physician and Co-Chair of the Children's Health Care Caucus, highlighted the significance of providing support to children in crisis, stating, "The EARLY Minds Act would ensure that SAMHSA’s Community Mental Health Services Block Grant resources can be used to address the mental health crisis affecting our nation’s youth."

Representative John Sarbanes stressed the need for proactive measures, stating, "I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to allow states the critical flexibility to use SAMHSA’s Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funding for prevention and early intervention efforts."

The EARLY Minds Act has garnered support from various mental health advocacy organizations, including Mental Health America, Children's Hospital Association, American Psychological Association, and others.

Matthew Cook, CEO of Children's Hospital Association, expressed gratitude for the bipartisan leadership in addressing the youth mental health crisis, stating, "Proactive early intervention and prevention can dramatically change the trajectory of a child’s life by addressing mental health issues before they escalate."

Tim Clement, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs for Mental Health America, highlighted the importance of the EARLY Minds Act in saving lives and fostering resiliency, stating, "Allowing Mental Health Block Grant funding to go towards prevention and early intervention is a necessary step that will save lives."

APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, commended the introduction of the EARLY Minds Act, stating, "Intervening before the onset of mental illness is a cornerstone of a population health approach to treatment."

The EARLY Minds Act aims to address the urgent need for proactive measures to support the mental well-being of America's youth and provide critical resources for prevention and early intervention initiatives.