Many experts have concluded that the US, like many countries, is currently experiencing a mental health crisis. In a given year, 20% of Americans will experience mental illness. The average time between the beginning of symptoms and the start of treatment is 11 years. Roughly 8% of Americans will struggle simultaneously with a mental health illness and substance abuse. 

The lack of resources and mental health professionals can make it especially hard to begin treatment. Over 160 million Americans live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. A range of bipartisan legislation is under consideration to expand and improve mental health resources, including addressing substance abuse. There is particular interest in expanding and improving mental health care for youth and for people who live in rural areas or have low incomes.  

Proposals include: 

• Support Youth Mental Health Interventions—Allow existing federal grants to be used for treating youth with mental health challenges early enough to prevent serious mental illness, implement threat assessment programs in K-12 schools and provide identified students with support that can prevent violence 
• Adopt Substance Abuse Proposals—Dedicate more resources to enforce laws prohibiting dealers from using social media to sell illicit drugs, particularly to minors, as well as increasing investments in substance abuse treatment and prevention