Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA). Contributed photo.
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced he has joined the Congressional Mental Health Caucus as Co-Chair, joining fellow co-chairs Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Andrea Salinas (D-OR).
“As more Americans recognize the importance of addressing and supporting mental health, Congress must continue to address these critical issues as well. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues, Reps. Don Beyer, Don Bacon, and Andrea Salinas as Mental Health Caucus co-chair. Mental health isn’t a partisan issue,” said Rep. Kelly.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Congressman Mike Kelly as Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus. Mike has been a strong bipartisan partner on efforts to support youth mental health and expand investment in mental health research,” said Rep. Beyer. “His leadership will strengthen our work, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to advance meaningful legislation to build a stronger, more accessible system of care to tackle the mental health crisis.”
“We know our country faces a mental health crisis, and that means we must keep working together toward solutions,” said Rep. Bacon. “I’m pleased to welcome Rep. Kelly as a Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus as we continue advancing bipartisan efforts to improve care.”
“I am excited to welcome Congressman Mike Kelly as a fellow co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus. Congressman Kelly has worked across the aisle to ensure Americans can access the treatment they need,” said Rep. Salinas. “I look forward to working alongside him to strengthen bipartisan legislation to ensure every person can access high-quality, affordable mental healthcare.”
BACKGROUND
Rep. Kelly has worked on bipartisan efforts focused on youth mental health and mental health research. Together with Rep. Beyer, he co-leads the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act, which would help schools establish student-led peer support programs to identify and respond to youth mental health challenges. Kelly also leads the Mental Health Research Accelerator Act to encourage public-private partnerships and expand investment in mental health and neurological research.
Beyer is a Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus’ Suicide Prevention Task Force and author of the bipartisan Barriers to Suicide Act, which would require the Department of Transportation to establish grants to help state and local governments fund nets and barriers that have been shown to reduce suicide on bridges and other high-risk infrastructure. Beyer also leads an annual appropriations letter on bipartisan suicide prevention programs, which supports funding for 988, and suicide prevention programs at the CDC and SAMHSA.
Bacon leads mental health initiatives focused on crisis response and veterans’ mental health, including the STOP Suicide Act to expand federal support for services for individuals in crisis and recovery. He also introduced the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, which would improve coordination of mental health programs for veterans and transitioning servicemembers.
Salinas has introduced several bills to improve access to mental health care, including the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act, which would provide three free behavioral health visits per year for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, as well as the Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act, which would expand access to telehealth services for rural Americans who continue to face barriers to in-person mental health care. She is also a co-founder of the bipartisan Rural Health Caucus that seeks to address health care gaps in rural communities, especially related to mental health care.