Addressing the National Mental Health Crisis
Adopted at the in 2022
WHEREAS, the Biden Administration has described "grief, trauma, and physical isolation of the past two years have driven Americans to a breaking point," and
WHEREAS, children and persons of color are among those disproportionally impacted by a severe lack of mental health providers in the United States, and
WHEREAS, according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, more than one-third in the United States live in a "Mental Health Professional Shortage Area," and
WHEREAS, the official launch in July of the new three digit dialing code (988) that will direct callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is expected to result in a significant increase in calls to that service, and
WHEREAS, many cities do not have public health departments and thus have no formal access to appropriate resources to address mental health issues,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors supports increasing federal resources for mental health services, mental health professional development, and mental health infrastructure through annual appropriations for agencies such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors will collaborate with its partners in state, county, and other local governments to raise awareness of the increasing risks of the mental health crisis on our residents and seek to create improved and expanded pathways to care.