Akron Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 21, U.S. Representatives Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) introduced H.R. 4097, the Mental Health Improvement Act. The Mental Health Improvement Act would extend the authorization for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program, which provides tens of millions of dollars annually to increase the supply of behavioral health professionals and improve access to behavioral health services. The Mental Health Improvement Act is the first Rep. Sykes has introduced as the primary sponsor.

“As a longtime advocate for improving the health of our communities, I am proud to lead the bipartisan Mental Health Improvement Act, to address gaps in mental health care in Ohio’s 13th District and across the country,” said Rep. Sykes. “With the improvements included in this legislation, the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program will continue to provide critical funds to ensure our communities have a robust mental and behavioral health workforce to support people of all ages struggling with addiction and mental health challenges, ultimately saving lives and creating safer communities. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this vital legislation because all Americans deserve access to high-quality mental health services no matter where they live.”

“Addressing the opioid crisis means finding unique solutions that support those struggling with addiction. The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program will continue to provide the resources our communities need to help those in recovery. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation and look forward to its passage in the House of Representatives,” said Rep. Joyce.

The BHWET Program awards grants to eligible universities and state-licensed mental health nonprofit and for-profit organizations to recruit and train the next generation of behavioral health workers. The program created by the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and was reauthorized in 2018 as part of the H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. The Mental Health Improvement Act would extend the funding authorization for the BHWET Program until 2028.

In 2021, Walsh University received $479,721 from the BHWET Program to establish the Walsh University Counselors and Occupational Therapists Professionally Engaged (COPE) in the Community program. The program enhances the community’s capacity to provide high quality experiential training of students in innovative care settings serving high-need populations in high-demand areas, including purchasing equipment and supplies for use in behavioral/ mental healthcare services at various nonprofit centers in Ohio, and providing free occupational therapy (OT) services for women through Rahab Ministries and the YWCA.

“The government dollars received from the Health Resources Service Administration through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program has been used to train occupational therapy and counseling students,” said Michele Tilstra, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy at Walsh University. “The training focused on cultural competence with humility and advanced mental health treatment strategies to maximize client outcomes. This investment in mental health has not only improved access to mental health services, but it is also strengthening the community as a whole. This would not have been possible without the grant – the grant we received is helping us to help the underserved in our greater community and make a difference in the lives of both our students and who they are serving.”

Nearly half of all Americans will have a behavioral health issue in their lifetime, from a mood disorder to a substance use problem. As of March 2023, approximately 160 million Americans live in areas with mental health professional shortages, with more than 8,000 professionals needed to ensure an adequate supply.

In Ohio, the demand for behavioral health services rose 353% statewide from 2013 to 2019, with demand spiking again in 2021.As of March 2023, Summit and Stark Counties are both experiencing mental health professional shortages.

Young people are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. Prior to the pandemic, rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among youth were on the rise, and these issues were exacerbated by the pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 42% of high school students reported "feeling so sad or hopeless that they could not engage in their regular activities for at least two weeks during the previous year." Yet, for every 100,000 Ohio children, there are just 11 psychiatrists. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry labels Ohio as one of 41 states with a “severe shortage.”

Mental health and addiction challenges including high emotional distress, involvement with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, learning disorders, and antisocial beliefs and attitudes are all risk factors linked with youth violence. By increasing the behavioral and mental health workforce, the Mental Health Improvement Act will create safer communities by allowing for early intervention and violence prevention for youth.

View the bill text below.

mental-health-improvement-act-text.pdf (154.26 KB)

Original source can be found here.