Miller Meeks: Mental health is a bipartisan issue.

Mental health is an issue that affects everyone across the United States, and we must be doing more to expand access to mental health resources and care. As a Research According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five people live with a mental illness.

The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t eased the mental health crisis in the United States, but the stigma of lockdowns has predictably exacerbated drug addiction and mental illness. It also exposed the flaws in our care delivery system. In 2020, nearly 46,000 Americans will die by suicide. Sadly, suicide is still one of the leading causes of death for teenage and middle-aged Americans.

That’s why it’s so important that we recognize Suicide Prevention Month this September. This month, I am calling on Iowans and Americans to come together and support those who are struggling.

Resources like the 9-8-8 hotline, which recently became the new suicide hotline, have effectively reduced suicide rates across the country. It helps to defuse crises and connect an at-risk person to local resources if necessary. The hotline can be reached by text or phone 24 hours a day. However, this hotline alone will not combat the mental health crisis faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since taking office, I have been committed to introducing legislation to support and expand mental health resources for Americans. Soon, mine Support the Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022 It passed the House of Representatives. This bipartisan bill would reauthorize funding for children’s mental and behavioral health programs.

Additionally, this week I held a roundtable with Clinton County Sheriff Bill Greenwalt to discuss information about mental health, suicide prevention and available resources. Discussions like this bring awareness to mental health and allow local professionals to share resources with the community.

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I’m proud that Congress is making mental health a priority and starting to recognize how important this issue is among young people. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the Common Sense Act to address mental illness and expand resources for those in need.

Mental health is not a Republican or Democratic issue—it’s an issue that every American faces. I am confident that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can come together to work on legislation to reduce suicide, expand access to care, and help those who are suffering.