Fitzpatrick offers bipartisan bill to improve school-based mental health services

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on July 25 sponsored bipartisan legislation that would establish the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program to increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health services providers.

"Ensuring students have access to mental health resources is vital to their current and future success, along with that of their peers," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "With only 20 percent of American youth receiving the mental health services they need, further action must be taken to expand access to services in schools."

The congressman introduced the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act, H.R. 4025, with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) to establish partnerships between the U.S. Department of Education and eligible graduate programs to cover up to 100 percent of attendance costs for students who complete five years of service as a school-based mental health service provider.

"This bipartisan bill would address the critical shortage of mental health professionals and expand access to school based mental health services so that every student has an equal chance to succeed," Rep. Wild said.

H.R. 4025, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, continues efforts by Rep. Fitzpatrick to prioritize school safety.

For example, the lawmaker on May 8 cosponsored the bipartisan Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act of 2019, H.R. 2599, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) to encourage schools to expand evidence-based suicide prevention training to students in grades 6 through 12. The bill is under review by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.