EARLY Minds Act introduced by Pfluger, Joyce

U.S. Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX) and John Joyce (R-PA) on March 22 offered a bipartisan bill that aims to help address the growing mental health crisis among America’s youth.

Rep. Pfluger sponsored the Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act, H.R. 7808, with three original cosponsors, including Rep. Joyce and U.S. Rep. and Kathy Castor (D-FL).

If enacted, H.R. 7808 would provide early intervention and prevention services to children and adults struggling with mental health challenges by allowing states to allocate up to 5 percent of their Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) funding toward prevention and early intervention initiatives, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

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

Additionally, H.R. 7808 would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide biennial reports to Congress detailing states’ efforts in prevention and early intervention, the summary says, noting that the reports would include information on activities undertaken, demographics of individuals served, achieved outcomes, and any other relevant data.

“Helping children in crisis receive the support and care that they need is vital to families and communities across our country,” said Rep. Joyce. “As a physician and a co-chair of the Children’s Health Care Caucus, I’m proud to co-sponsor the EARLY Minds Act, which would ensure that [MHBG] resources can be used to address the mental health crisis affecting our nation’s youth.”

Rep. Castor, also a co-chair of the Children’s Health Care Caucus, added that prevention and early intervention are key to avoiding crises and reducing the severity of mental health issues, particularly in children. “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,” she said.

The EARLY Minds Act has garnered support from numerous entities, including the Children’s Hospital Association, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, The Carter Center, and Nemours Children’s Health, among others.