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 the current session of Congress appear below. For statements from past Congresses, view the archive.
- MHLG Supports Five Year CHIP Funding Extension, 9.15.17: The Mental Health Liaison Group sent a letter to Senate and House leadership urging them to stabilize the CHIP funding stream and protect children’s health coverage.
- MHLG Supports Mental Health in Schools Act (H.R. 2913), 9.11.17: A Mental Health Liaison Group letter to Representatives Napolitano and Katko in support of their Act, which would advance a public health approach to mental health services in schools, as well as save money by investing in early intervention programs.
- MHLG Advocates Long-Term Funding Extension of CHIP, 4.28.17: The Mental Health Liaison Group sent a letter to Senate and House leadership urging them to enact swift legislation extending funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, ensuring millions of children do not lose coverage in FY2018.