More than 11 million Americans suffer from severe mental illness. Those who suffer are most likely to become incarcerated and homeless, creating further challenges for them, their families and society down the road.
Dear Friend,
I have long advocated in Congress to help increase access to mental health benefits for the most vulnerable, and am a proud cosponsor of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 422 – 2.
Our outdated mental health system is not equipped - and often refuses - to provide care for those with mental illness, especially those suffering from extreme schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. That is why we’ve taken steps to ensure people who suffer from mental illness get the care and medication they need – just like other patients.
Rather than allowing people who suffer from serious mental illness to “fall through the cracks” of our mental health system onto the street or into prison, this bill helps discover and address serious mental illness in individuals before their lives spiral out of control.
Through this investment in serious mental health care, Congress is helping people in the shadows, and their families who struggle to care for them, come into the light before their illness deteriorates into crisis.
Sincerely,
Kay Granger
Member of Congress