Congresswoman Sheri Biggs Takes Action to Strengthen Mental Health Support for Military Families

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Sheri Biggs (R-SC-03) is leading an effort to strengthen mental health support for military-connected children and teens, with the backing of the National Military Family Association (NMFA).

Building on her more than 30 years of experience in healthcare as a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Congresswoman Biggs is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of War to ensure federal crisis response systems are fully aligned to support military families. Her recent outreach to both agencies emphasizes the importance of seamless coordination so that young people who reach out for help are quickly connected to the care they need.

This effort comes as new data highlights growing mental health challenges among military-connected youth, underscoring the need for a responsive and well-coordinated federal safety net. It also builds on Congresswoman Biggs' Hope Heals Act, which focuses on improving how federal agencies identify mental health needs and connect individuals to care using existing resources.

"As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I've seen how critical those first moments are when someone reaches out for help," said Congresswoman Biggs. "Our military families carry a unique burden, and we have a responsibility to ensure that when their children seek support, our systems work together seamlessly to connect them to the right care without delay."

"The research is clear: too many military-connected young people are struggling with their mental health. When they reach out for help, it's vital that they're connected to the right resources," said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association. "We appreciate Rep. Biggs' efforts to determine how the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of War are supporting military teens who reach out to them in crisis."

Congresswoman Biggs' work reinforces the importance of coordination across federal agencies to ensure military families have a reliable, effective support system; one that reflects the same commitment to readiness and resilience that service members bring to their mission.