Fifty percent of people with a diagnosable mental health disorder receive a diagnosis by 14 years old, 75% before 24 years old, and many experience symptoms long before that. Approximately 70% of children in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental disorder. Treating these illnesses with early interventions not only greatly helps those children, but saves billions of dollars in spending down the road. The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) supports mental health in schools, as well as childhood trauma and CHIP policies.
Issue statements from past Congresses appear below. For statements from the current session of Congress, view the families and children issue statements page.
- MHLG Expresses Support for Mental Health Provisions in Healthcare Package Currently Advancing through the House – 11.29.16: A letter to House leaders expressing support for mental health reform provisions in healthcare package and urging that these be passed quickly.
- MHLG Expresses Support for Children’s Recovery from Trauma Act of 2015 – 07.16.15: A letter to Patty Murray expresses support for S. 1494 that will make improvements to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
- MHLG Expresses Support for Children’s Recovery from Trauma Act of 2015 – 07.14.15: A letter to members of the House in support of H.R. 2632 that will make improvements to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
- MHLG Expresses Support fort the Mental Health in Schools Act – 03.25.15: A letter to Grace Napolitano and Chris Gibson showing support for H.R. 1211 to make comprehensive school-based mental health services available for students across America.
- MHLG Urges Congressional Leaders to Provide a 4-Year Extension for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – 03.13.15: A letter to Senate leaders and committee chairs urging them to expand the CHIP for 4 more years.
- MHLG Expresses Support for Provisions in House and Senate-passed Bills that Reauthorize State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – 09.06.07: Letters to member of the House and Senate expressing gratitude and support for the reauthorization of SCHIP in the passed health bill.
- MHLG Thanks Senate Members for Introducing Children’s Mental Health Parity Act into the State Children’s Health Insurance Program – 05.29.07: A letter to multiple senators commending them for introducing Children’s Mental Health Parity Act (S.1337) into the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which would require equitable coverage of mental health services.
- MHLG Urges House Members to Ensure that SCHIP Provides Equitable coverage of Mental Health Services – 03.07.07: A letter to House leaders urging them to ensure coverage of mental health services in SCHIP, as they are key components of the full range of services needed for healthy childhood development.