Brett Guthrie: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7666 the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well- Being Act is…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7666 the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well- Being Act is a significant bill that will help support our mental health workforce, increase access to pediatric mental health treatment, and help make schools safer. This bill will bolster substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. The Committee on Energy and Commerce has worked on this for many months, held hearings, and reported it out by a voice vote in May. Recognizing children's mental health has been negatively impacted by school closures, ineffective lockdowns, and increased violence. This bill provides specific resources to help communities respond to the children's mental health crisis. This legislation also supports community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbances through crisis-care service and early intervention activities. The need to strengthen resources for children's mental health has been further heightened after the horrific school violence we have seen in Uvalde. This bill also works to reauthorize the Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Program, provide funding for a suicide prevention lifeline, and update a major block grant that States use to provide support to those with serious mental illness. In addition to supporting those with mental illness, the legislation helps those with substance use disorders.…”