Congresswoman Caraveo Introduces Bipartisan Youth Mental Health Package

Posted May 16, 2024

Citing a need to address the youth mental health crisis in Colorado, Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, MD (CO-08) on May 14^th, introduced a trio of bills to bolster the mental health workforce, fund suicide prevention efforts, and promote targeted efforts to improve mental health among Latino youth.

Congresswoman Caraveo’s youth mental health package would ensure that National Suicide Foundation (NSF) funding for suicide prevention considers childhood stressors, help states increase the supply and accessibility of pediatric mental health care under Medicaid and CHIP, and establish a national campaign to improve mental health among Latino youth.

“There is a youth mental health crisis in Colorado and it’s pushing our state’s resources to the brink,” said Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, MD (CO-08). “When I dealt with this issue in clinic, I found that many patients were unable to access the culturally competent care they needed and hospitals often didn’t have the capacity to serve everyone who needed help. The mental health package I’m introducing will address these issues by bolstering our pediatric mental healthcare workforce, provide resources for youth suicide prevention efforts, and invest in culturally competent care for our Latino communities.”

The bipartisan Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act, co-led by Republican Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22), would amend the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act to include research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in childhood, which impacted nearly 45% of our nation’s children and have lasting, negative effects on childhood health.

The bipartisan Strengthening our Pediatric Mental Health Workforce Act is co-led by Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). The legislation would issue guidance to states on strategies under Medicaid and CHIP to:

Bolster the workforce by increasing the supply of pediatricians, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and other pediatric mental and behavioral health providers;

Promote payment opportunities for health care providers that participate in programs to support access to pediatric mental and behavioral health care; and

Improve accessibility to pediatric health care by improving incentives for care providers.

The Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act, co-led by Reps. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06), would establish a national campaign to increase awareness of mental health disorders, factors driving mental illness among Latino youth, and screening, intervention, and treatment options. It would also establish an outreach campaign that will consist of culturally and linguistically relevant resources, mental health first aid training, and screenings and consultations for youth. Additionally, the bill would report on the Latino youth mental health crisis and the Latino mental health provider workforce shortage.

As a pediatrician, Congresswoman Caraveo has long advocated for more mental health resources and says that these bills are an extension of the efforts she made in clinic to support those struggling with mental health issues.

The bills in this package are endorsed by the following organizations: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Colorado Behavioral Health Council, Children’s Hospital Association, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Inseparable, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Social Workers, Postpartum Support International, Western Youth Services, and UnidosUS.

“With fifty percent of all lifetime cases of mental illness beginning by age 14, we must make children’s mental health a national priority,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “This package of legislation from Representative Caraveo focuses on ensuring we provide effective care early to help all children lead healthy lives. NAMI is proud to support this slate of mental health bills.

“Children’s mental health remains a national emergency that requires action to improve access to care, support the pediatric mental health workforce, reduce stigma, and enhance scientific understanding about the mental and emotional health of children and teens. We thank Rep. Yadira Caraveo and sponsors for their bipartisan leadership on these bills to advance children’s mental health, especially by identifying strategies to better support pediatric mental health care through Medicaid and CHIP. We look forward to working together to ensure that all children can get the mental health support they need,” said Matt Cook, CEO, Children’s Hospital Association.

“AFSP applauds Rep. Caraveo for her leadership in introducing legislation to support youth mental health and suicide prevention,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “At a time in which children and young adults across the country are experiencing increased suicide risk and poor mental health, it is more important than ever that Congress take these critical steps to support research on what is influencing these outcomes, expand the workforce responding to the youth mental health crisis, and address specific diverse populations that are disproportionately impacted.”

“The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry applauds Representative Caraveo for their leadership in introducing these mental health bills,” said AACAP President Tami D. Benton, MD. “In 2021, AACAP, along with the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, declared a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health. We need to find various ways to address the continuing youth mental health crisis and the bills introduced today – Strengthening our Pediatric Mental Health Workforce Act, Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act, and Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act – do just that.”

Click here to watch a video of Congresswoman Caraveo speaking about the new legislative package.