Kaine supports act to boost funding for mental health care

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says nearly half of adolescents in the country face a mental health disorder in their lives. Now, federal lawmakers are working on a bill to bring more attention to that statistic and shrink that number.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine is now joining senators on both sides of the aisle pushing for a bill that would increase federal funding for prevention and early intervention programs. He says addressing mental health concerns early in children can make a difference in adulthood. 

“Better mental health services are going to, I believe, reduce violence,” Kaine said.

But he said that doesn't come without that battle of finding the funding mental health services and fill those positions.  

“We are short of mental health professionals, at all levels. For kids, adults, in the military, in the civilian workforce, we are short,” Kaine said. 

Locally, Region Ten offers free courses, and services aligned with what the EARLY Minds Act is intended to provide: prevention. 

The courses walk through strategies to use when facing a mental health concern, as well as what they call “person-centered language” to use when trying to help someone with a mental health concern.

Joanna Jennings with Region Ten said they are geared towards everyone. 

“We want everyone to have access to this information because when we as a community can be on the same page and know what kinds of signs and things to look out for from the prevention side, then we can help address things,” Jennings said. 

Kaine says he was inspired to join the EARLY Minds Act — which stands for Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth — by connecting with people in the commonwealth. 

“It reflects just what I hear as I travel around Virginia. I heard it before COVID, but maybe particularly after COVID. The social isolation of COVID ramped up mental health needs,” Kaine said. 

Kaine says the current community mental health services block grant is limited to funding services for those with severe, diagnosed mental illnesses. 

This new act will provide states with the opportunity to take full advantage of mental health block grants to intervene early, before it reaches a severe concern.