Balint, Padilla and Watson Coleman Aim to Bolster Mental Health Care Workforce Through New School Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, to introduce the Mental Health Career Promotion Act to bolster the behavioral and mental health care workforce pipeline by providing students with educational opportunities to learn about and pursue careers in the field. The bill would create the Behavioral and Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to provide funding to schools to establish mental health career promotion programs for high school and community college students.

Millions of students across the country struggle with their mental health, with two in five reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the last 30 days, and one in five reporting that they have seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023. Despite the severity of these challenges, many students go untreated because they do not know where to seek help and there are not enough trained mental health professionals available to meet the growing demand.

"Right now, we are in the middle of a mental health crisis without enough professional support to meet the need," said Representative Balint. "That shortage shows up every day in our schools, our families, and our communities. This bill aims to address that by creating clear pathways into mental health careers for high school and community college students, connecting them early with mentorship, training, and hands-on experience with local providers. The goal is a stronger, more sustainable mental health workforce that can meet people where they are and deliver care when it's needed most."

"Far too many people struggling with their mental health are left to suffer in silence because of our nation's severe shortage of qualified providers," said Senator Padilla. "As this crisis grows - especially among teens - we must meet students where they are at by expanding resources for students to learn about careers in mental health care. Our bill does exactly that by investing in the next generation of the nation's mental health workforce."

"Mental healthcare, like so many other professional fields, is facing a shortage of skilled professionals," said Representative Watson Coleman. "As millions of Americans struggle with their mental health, the number of therapists and counselors can't meet the needs of those looking for assistance. I'm proud to co-lead the Mental Health Career Promotion Act with Rep. Balint. This important piece of legislation will create a pipeline for students in high school and community colleges to explore a career in mental health services. We will be investing in the future of not only these students but to all the communities they will serve with their expertise in mental and behavioral health."

"The American Psychological Association applauds Senator Padilla and Congresswoman Balint for introducing the Mental Health Career Promotion Act, which would help encourage our nation's students to pursue careers in mental health," said American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. "Introducing young people early to the benefits of working in mental health fields, including psychology, can help ensure the future of this critically needed workforce."

"In 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults age 15-24, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts and build a robust and responsive mental health workforce," said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). "AFSP strongly supports the Mental Health Career Promotion Act. Expanding exposure to mental health careers and mentorship opportunities for high school students is an important investment in the future of the mental health workforce. We thank Senator Padilla for his leadership and commitment to advancing the mental health and well-being of our nation's youth."

According to the most recent data from the Department of Health and Human Services, more than half of all Americans live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. This challenge is only expected to get worse: between 2021 and 2026 the total number of mental health professionals in the United States is projected to decline by 13 percent while demand for these professionals is expected to increase by over 50 percent.

To help address these challenges, the Behavioral and Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program's funding would create partnerships between high schools and community colleges with a community-based mental or behavioral health authority to educate and promote careers in mental health. Specifically, this grant program would:

• Provide educational presentations to students that increase exposure to and knowledge of the mental health field;

• Coordinate internship and externship opportunities for students who are interested in mental health;

• Arrange opportunities for students to interact with and shadow mental health care professionals; and

• Establish student mentorship opportunities in mental health.

Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are cosponsoring the bill in the Senate.

The Mental Health Career Promotion Act is endorsed by organizations including American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Jed Foundation, National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

A one-pager on the bill is available here.

Full text of the bill is available here.