Pride in Mental Health Act

Pride in Mental Health Act

This bill expands programs that prevent and treat child abuse and neglect to address issues facing youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, or gender-variant members of indigenous communities (e.g., Two Spirit). Specifically, these programs include (1) research and reporting requirements, (2) providing technical assistance, (3) grants to states and local agencies to train child-welfare personnel, and (4) community-based prevention-service grants.

The bill also establishes a grant program to provide mental and behavioral health resources for such youth, including trauma-informed care.

Bill 117 HR 7644, also known as the Pride in Mental Health Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing mental health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community. The bill seeks to improve access to mental health services and support for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ by providing funding for programs that specifically cater to their needs.

One of the key provisions of the Pride in Mental Health Act is the establishment of a grant program that would allocate funds to community organizations and mental health providers that offer culturally competent and affirming services to LGBTQ+ individuals. These grants would be used to expand mental health resources, increase outreach efforts, and train mental health professionals on how to best support LGBTQ+ clients.

Additionally, the bill aims to collect data on mental health outcomes within the LGBTQ+ community in order to better understand the unique challenges and barriers they face when seeking mental health care. This data would be used to inform future policy decisions and improve the quality of mental health services for LGBTQ+ individuals. Overall, the Pride in Mental Health Act is a step towards addressing the mental health disparities that exist within the LGBTQ+ community and ensuring that all individuals have access to the care and support they need to thrive.