Rep. Carter Leads 33 Members Calling on Secretary Kennedy to Protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) led 33 Members of Congress in sending a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. opposing staff and budget cuts. The Members also expressed strong concerns with HHS' upcoming re-organization plans, which will eliminate the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

"As you know, the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was created to fill the growing need for mental health, suicide, and substance use emotional support. Since its inception in July 2022, the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has received over 13 million calls, texts, and chats from people seeking support across the country - including 1.4 million from the Veteran's Crisis Line (VCL). Any further staffing and budget cuts at SAMHSA could affect or disrupt this vital service, potentially leading to an increase in hospitalizations, mental health issues and crises that will go unaddressed," the Members wrote.

Congressman Carter is the sponsor of the Mental Health Workforce Act, legislation that incentivizes students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to pursue careers as mental health care practitioners by offering student loan forgiveness in exchange for a commitment to serving communities of color as mental health practitioners for five years after graduation. He is also Chair of the Men's Health Caucus, a bipartisan group dedicated to raising awareness about men's health issues, encouraging men and boys to take an active role in their personal health, and promoting legislation that will improve the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families

Background

The letter was signed by 33 Members of Congress, including Reps. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-VA), William R. Keating (D-MA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Marc A. Veasey (D-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Bradley Scott Schneider (D-IL), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Summer L. Lee (D-PA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), André Carson (D-IN), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Robert J. Menendez (D-NJ).

Read Congressman Carter's full letter here.

###