As millions of Americans, particularly our young people, continue to struggle with worsening mental health challenges, the White House announced on Thursday — the National Day of Mental Health Action — how the Biden administration plans to tackle the crisis.
Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month, the new strategy involves increasing mental health staffing in schools, bolstering operations of the 988 crisis lifeline and making it easier for schools to obtain Medicaid funding.
“It is quite clear that America is in a mental health crisis,” Susan Rice, domestic policy adviser, said during a call with the media.
She pointed out that in 2021, 44% of high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Thirteen percent of high school girls and 7% of boys attempted suicide in 2021.
Sixteen percent of young people report having had at least one major depressive episode in the past year, while more than 2.7 million young people suffer from severe depression. (iStock)
Rice referred to the “comprehensive mental health strategy” that the Biden administration rolled out in March 2022.
“Most importantly, it will help connect more Americans to competent and compassionate care in ways that are more convenient, that are cheaper and are covered by their insurance,” she said.
Streamlining Medicaid funding
In Thursday’s announcement, the White House highlighted moves to help schools provide better mental health care for students.
By streamlining and reducing the amount of parental consent required to bill for Medicaid services, senior administration officials said they anticipate the new rule will impact about 300,000 children with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicaid.
“Taken together, these actions will help save lives.”
Susan Rice is seen here speaking at the first-ever Mental Health Youth Forum at the White House on May 18, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will also provide an additional $200 million to strengthen operations of 988, the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that launched in 2022 to help Americans in crisis.
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In April 2023 alone, 988 routed a total of 369,936 calls, chats and texts.
“Taken together, these actions will help save lives,” Rice said. “Investing in kids’ mental health today will pay dividends down the line for students, their families and America as a whole.”
Susan Rice announced last month that she will be stepping down from her role as domestic policy advisor; her last day will be May 26.