Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act
Latest action (31 May 2023): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 1773, the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, would amend the Public Health Service Act to address behavioral health disparities among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. It would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral health and reduce stigma around mental health and substance use in AANHPI populations, with annual reports to Congress on its effectiveness. It also requires two federal studies—one on the AANHPI youth mental health crisis (covering prevalence of mental health challenges, suicide, and overdose) and one on shortages in the AANHPI behavioral health workforce—each followed by a report to relevant congressional committees with findings and recommendations. Data collected would need to be broken down by race, ethnicity, age, sex, and other factors while protecting privacy. The bill authorizes specific funding levels for these activities through 2024 or 2028, depending on the provision.
The bill primarily affects AANHPI individuals and communities, federal health agencies (including HHS, NIH, CDC, and HRSA) that would carry out the strategy and studies, and behavioral health providers and advocacy organizations that would be consulted in developing outreach materials.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 31, 2023, by Senator Mazie Hirono, with two cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not received a committee vote or further floor action, and as of the latest available status, it remains at the introduced stage with no further movement recorded.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act
This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to undertake various activities to address mental and behavioral health issues among the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations.
Specifically, SAMHSA must develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among AANHPI populations.
Additionally, SAMHSA must study (1) mental health and substance use disorders among AANHPI youth, including the number of individuals who attempted suicide or died by suicide or drug overdose; and (2) strategies for increasing AANHPI representation in the behavioral and mental health workforce.
Common questions
- What does S. 1773 do?
- S. 1773, the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, would amend the Public Health Service Act to address behavioral health disparities among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. It would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral health and reduce stigma around mental health and substance use in AANHPI populations, with annual reports to Congress on its effectiveness. It also requires two federal studies—one on the AANHPI youth mental health crisis (covering prevalence of mental health challenges, suicide, and overdose) and one on shortages in the AANHPI behavioral health workforce—each followed by a report to relevant congressional committees with findings and recommendations. Data collected would need to be broken down by race, ethnicity, age, sex, and other factors while protecting privacy. The bill authorizes specific funding levels for these activities through 2024 or 2028, depending on the provision. The bill primarily affects AANHPI individuals and communities, federal health agencies (including HHS, NIH, CDC, and HRSA) that would carry out the strategy and studies, and behavioral health providers and advocacy organizations that would be consulted in developing outreach materials. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 31, 2023, by Senator Mazie Hirono, with two cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not received a committee vote or further floor action, and as of the latest available status, it remains at the introduced stage with no further movement recorded.
- Has S. 1773 become law?
- Not yet. As of 31 May 2023, S. 1773 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1773?
- S. 1773 was sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI] (Democrat-HI), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1773?
- Introduced (31 May 2023).
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