WASHINGTON– On Wednesday, the House passed the bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act, an omnibus bill that provides discretionary funding for the entire federal government. The omnibus legislation contains $15 million for Mental Health First Aid for the remainder of FY2014.  Please consider the following statements:

Lynn Jenkins, Congresswoman (KS-02):

“Helping folks gain better access to mental health resources is an issue I am passionate about and have championed over the past decade. The $15 million investment from this bill will be devoted to new mental health training programs like those administered by the Bert Nash Community Health Center in Lawrence and the Family Service & Guidance Center in Topeka. I am extremely glad to see action being taken that will make a real difference in peoples’ lives and a big step towards creating healthier and safer communities.

“I am very thankful for the work David Johnson and Brenda Mills have done and for them sharing their important educational tools with me and other members of Congress. Together, we will remain committed to making mental health awareness a priority and continue to support programs like this as prudent initiatives towards mental health initiatives.”

David E. Johnson, CEO and Mental Health First Aid Trainer at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center:

“As one of the first certified trainers and with the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center as one of the seven pilot sites introducing Mental Health First Aid to the United States, I know this training has saved lives in my community, throughout Kansas, and across the country. I am proud that Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins led the fight for this appropriation following a visit to the Bert Nash Center. 

“I imagine a day when anyone developing a mental health issue or in crisis would have a friend, teacher, co-worker or even a stranger that would recognize the problem, know how to respond, and how to get the person the professional help they need. This $15 million investment will produce a tremendous return, not only in dollars but in lives. It is a significant step towards ending tragedies like that at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.”

Brenda Mills, Family Service & Guidance Center Chief Executive Officer:

“Thousands of Kansans now know the signs of mental illness and how to help individuals get the treatment they need, thanks to Mental Health First Aid. Now, we’re starting to hear success stories of class participants reaching out and helping people find the resources they need.

“Congresswoman Jenkins’ continued support has helped ensure that this innovative public education effort will continue across the state, and that will make all of our communities safer, healthier places to work and raise a family.”

Other Items To Note:

On Wednesday, the Lawrence Journal-World reported on the work Congresswoman Jenkins and Bert Nash Community Health Center did to secure $15 million for mental health programs in this bill. 

Last month, Congresswoman Jenkins joined Congressman Ron Barber (AZ-02) to send a letter (attached) to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and other related agencies asking them to replace the existing, inefficient mental health first aid program with the one outlined in the Mental Health First Aid Act when considering funding levels for FY2014.

Congresswoman Jenkins is a cosponsor of H.R. 274, the “Mental Health First Aid Act” which would provide vital resources for mental health training, make these resources more affordable, and increase access to community behavioral health services for all Americans.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness month in May of 2013, Congresswoman Jenkins co-hosted a Mental Health First Aid training for members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill.  The Congresswoman also hosted a briefing on Mental Health Training Initiative in April in which David Johnson testified.  

Congresswoman Jenkins was awarded the 2013 Legislators of the Year by the National Council for Behavioral Health. The National Council thanks and recognizes the Legislators of the Year for their persistent and powerful leadership on behalf of persons living with mental health and substance use disorders and the provider organizations that treat and support them.

Congresswoman Jenkins first started working on mental health initiatives nearly a decade ago through her involvement with the Family Service and Guidance Center and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare provided the training to participants during the May 2013 event.