Expanding Mental Healthcare

The United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis, and this issue is personal to me. After speaking publicly about confronting my own challenges with post-traumatic stress after returning from the Iraq War, we developed a nationwide strategy to improve access to high-quality mental health care and break the stigma around asking for it. I’m proud to have worked across the aisle to author and pass the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which created the new 988 mental health lifeline. Now anyone in America, from any phone, can simply dial 988 to be connected to a mental health crisis counselor the same way you would dial 911 in a fire. In just the first two years after 988 was implemented, over ten million texts, calls, and chats were answered. Since its launch in 2022, countless lives have been saved as a result.

I continue to fight to expand mental healthcare access for our active duty service members and veterans. One recent example is The Brandon Act, a bill I passed to protect active duty servicemembers who seek mental healthcare treatment. I will continue fighting for the resources necessary to ensure every American — particularly those in underserved and lower-income communities — can access the affordable mental healthcare options they need and deserve.