Castor Introduces Bill Looking to Curb Youth Mental Health Crisis

Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation known as the Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act, a bill that looks to provide early intervention and prevention services to children and adults struggling with mental health challenges.

According to Rep. Castor, statistics show that over 20% of youth report “serious contemplation of suicide” in the past year alone. Furthermore, 40% of teens report “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness,” a significant increase from years past.

The EARLY Minds Act aims to address these startling figures by allowing states to allocate up to 5% of their Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Mental Health Block Grant funding toward preventative and early intervention initiatives.

Additionally, the bill will require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to demonstrate a report to Congress every other year showcasing the results of the efforts made by each state in the Union.

Alongside Rep. Castor, the bill is sponsored by Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX), John Sarbanes (D-MD), and John Joyce (R-PA).

“Prevention and early intervention are key to avoiding crises and reducing the severity of mental health issues, particularly in children,” said Representative Kathy Castor. “As the Co-Chair of the Children’s Health Care Caucus, I am committed to taking action to keep our youngest neighbors healthy and well. Allowing states to use SAMHSA’s Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funding for prevention and early intervention is a common-sense approach that will allow us to meet an urgent need.

“This bipartisan bill will help support the majority of children who are struggling with their mental health by connecting them with evidence-based and effective services when they need it the most. I look forward to working with Representatives Pfluger, Sarbanes, and Joyce to advance this legislation to address our nation’s mental health emergency,” concluded Rep. Castor.

Rep. Pfluger called the bill a “commonsense solution” that can address a serious problem.

"Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of early intervention in mitigating the severity of mental health challenges among children and adults," said Representative August Pfluger. "By allowing states the flexibility to utilize MHBG funds for prevention and early intervention, the EARLY Minds Act presents a commonsense solution to address the worsening youth mental health crisis."

Castor represents Florida’s 14^th Congressional District.