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Floor Speech
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Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Mental Health Career Promotion Act. This legislation would expand opportunities for students to learn about and pursue careers in mental health.
The Mental Health Career Promotion Act would bolster the behavioral and mental health workforce pipeline by providing students with educational opportunities in the mental health field. Specifically, this bill would establish the Behavioral and Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, which would provide funding to schools to create opportunities for students to interact with and shadow mental health care professionals, coordinate internship and externship opportunities for students who are interested in mental health, and provide educational presentations to students that increase exposure to and knowledge of the mental health field.
Poor mental health impacts millions of students, with two in five reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the last 30 days and one in five reporting that they have seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023. Unfortunately, most students go untreated because they do not know where to turn for help.
According to the most recent data from SAMHSA, more than half of all Americans live in a mental health professional shortage area. Unfortunately, between 2021 and 2026, the total number of mental health professionals in the United States is projected to decline by 13 percent while demand for these professionals is expected to increase by over 50 percent.
One of the most important steps that Congress can take to address this shortage is to expand opportunities for students to learn about and pursue careers in mental health. As our Nation continues to confront an unfolding mental health crisis, this critical legislation works to support the next generation of mental health professionals and reinforces the timeless message that there is zero shame in asking for help and that seeking support is a sign of strength.
I would like to thank Representative Balint for leading this legislation in the House, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Mental Health Career Promotion Act as soon as possible. ______
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