FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2024
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Bi-Partisan Legislation Creating Scholarships for Students in the Mental Health Field is Introduced
(Washington, DC) – Today, Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-OR) and Marc Molinaro (R-NY) introduced “The STAR Plus Scholarship Act,” which aims to address the mental and behavioral health workforce shortage by establishing a scholarship for students pursuing a degree to provide substance use disorder treatment, mental health and behavioral health services. This legislation would further prioritize students from populations underrepresented in the substance use disorder treatment, behavioral and mental health workforce to address the lack of cultural competence in the field.
The United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis with one-third of young adults ages 18-25 having a mental health condition, the highest level of any US adults. This legislation is critical to address the mental health workforce shortage and ensure that the field is being filled with a diverse group of providers.
Young Invincibles is proud to endorse this legislation and see policy proposals that directly align with recommendations from our Mental Health is Preventive Health Policy Agenda.
In response, Martha Sanchez, Director of Health Care Policy and Advocacy at Young Invincibles said:
“Young Invincibles is thrilled to see this legislative effort to address the urgent need for robust mental health support and to tackle the growing provider shortage. With one-third of young adults facing mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, it’s crucial to ensure that adequate services and culturally-competent providers are available in communities, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Investing in the mental health workforce and creating affordable, accessible pathways for students to pursue degrees in mental health is essential to supporting the well-being of young people.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org