U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) on July 22 introduced a bipartisan bill to amend the Community Mental Health Service Block Grant to authorize a set-aside for crisis care services.
Sen. Gardner signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Crisis Care Improvement and Suicide Prevention Act, S. 4282, with sponsor U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), which would direct states to utilize 5 percent of their Mental Health Block Grant for crisis care services.
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) in June introduced the same-named H.R. 7159 in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I’ve held countless meetings and roundtables with families, students, mental health care professionals, law enforcement officials, and others to address our state’s mental health needs,” Sen. Gardner said. “Colorado had tragically high suicide and drug overdose death rates prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result of the ongoing public health emergency, our state’s behavioral health needs have only increased.”
Sen. Gardner’s office cited a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll showing that 45 percent of adults in the United States reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the COVID-19 pandemic, with 28 percent experiencing significant disruption in their lives due to the spread of the coronavirus.
“Crisis care services and strategies help ensure that individuals get effective care in a timely manner and play a critical role in preventing these devastating outcomes,” said Sen. Gardner. “I am proud to join Senator Manchin to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will support crisis care services and save lives.”
If enacted, the measure would provide increased funding for crisis care services, including call centers, mobile services and stabilization programs, among other provisions.
The bill is supported by the American Psychiatric Association, the Colorado Psychiatric Society, and Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners.
“This legislation will help crisis systems have an effective response of triage, stabilization, and follow-up to all who face a behavioral health crisis,” said Bev Marquez, CEO of Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners. “This will help deter unnecessary emergency room visits and help save lives.”