Chuck Grassley: “this month of May is a month that is devoted to what we call Mental Health Awareness Month. Every day, we know Americans…”

“this month of May is a month that is devoted to what we call Mental Health Awareness Month. Every day, we know Americans cope with depression, anxiety, loneliness, and hopelessness without a support system to help alleviate the burden. To anyone who is struggling, you are not alone. The national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 9-8-8 to offer free and confidential support. Through telehealth, people can connect with mental health professionals from the comfort of their home, breaking down barriers like distance and stigma. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in 2020, I played a key role in making access to mental telehealth a permanent benefit in Medicare. State Medicaid Programs and commercial insurance have likewise done the same. Today, two-thirds of telehealth is for mental health conditions. Last month, I introduced a bill with this title: ``Fighting Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder Act.'' It takes an essential step toward ensuring first responders have easy access to the mental health care they need and they deserve. I also recently sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure information about inpatient psychiatric facilities is clear and accessible to better support patients with serious mental illness in having access to high-quality, safe care.”