NAMI and AFSP Celebrate Launch of Bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus

NAMI and AFSP Celebrate Launch of Bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus

October 17, 2023

ARLINGTON, VA – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) welcome today’s creation of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus in the U.S. Senate. Founded by Senators Alex Padilla (CA), Thom Tillis (NC), Joni Ernst (IA), and Tina Smith (MN), the caucus will work to find bipartisan, common-sense solutions to the current crisis of mental health in our country.

“Mental health is the bipartisan issue of our time, and it is inspiring to see the creation of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr., executive director of NAMI. “NAMI is grateful to Senators Padilla, Tillis, Ernst. and Smith for their leadership on mental health. We are excited to work with the new caucus to build better lives for everyone affected by mental health issues.

“AFSP thanks Senators Padilla, Tillis, Ernst and Smith for their leadership in launching the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus,” said Laurel Stine, JD, MA, executive vice president and chief policy officer of the Senate. ‘AFSP. “The launch of the Senate Mental Health Caucus comes at a critical time as our country faces a mental health crisis that impacts people across the lifespan, with suicide being the 11th leading cause of death in the United States . AFSP looks forward to working with the Caucus to raise awareness of mental health issues, promote bipartisan policy solutions, and help reduce stigma to improve mental health and prevent suicide.

The bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus is a forum where senators and their staff can collaborate and promote mental health solutions, host events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and reduce stigma. The Caucus aims to improve prevention and early intervention efforts, increase the nation’s number of mental health professionals, strengthen our nation’s crisis response services, and increase access to health treatment evidence-based mental health and common-sense solutions for all Americans.

NAMI and AFSP look forward to working closely with the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus and encourage all members of the U.S. Senate to join this important group.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest local mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Join the conversation on NAMI.org | Facebook.com/nami | TikTok.com/@nami | Instagram.com/namicommunicate | Twitter.com/namicommunicate | LinkedIn.com/company/nami | YouTube.com/NAMIvideo

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and providing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced loss. AFSP creates a mental health-smart culture through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support to those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the suicide prevention conversation by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, InstagramAnd Youtube.