Booker, Espaillat Introduce Legislation to Expand Mental Health Workforce and Bring Care to Underserved Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) introduced the Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act , legislation to strengthen the nation’s mental health workforce and expand access to culturally and linguistically responsive mental health services in underserved communities. Nearly one in five U.S. adults — approximately 58 million people — experience mental illness each year, yet only about half receive treatment. Provider shortages, cost, stigma, language barriers, and a lack of culturally responsive care prevent millions of Americans from getting the support they need. The Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act would establish a competitive federal grant program to help certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, hospitals, and other behavioral health organizations develop and expand training programs for community mental wellness workers. These frontline workers would help individuals identify mental health concerns early, navigate available services, and connect with appropriate treatment and recovery resources. “Right now, too many Americans are suffering in silence, with nowhere to turn and no one to catch them before things get worse. This is a crisis, and we cannot afford to wait until someone reaches a breaking point to act,” said Senator Booker . “Community mental wellness workers can meet people where they already are — in schools, community centers, faith-based organizations, and neighborhood health programs — so that pain doesn’t go unnoticed and unanswered. This legislation invests in a trusted, culturally responsive workforce that can identify challenges early, break down stigma, and help ensure every person has a path to the care they deserve.” “Communities around the nation are facing increased mental health needs, and our bill will address the national crisis at hand as well as specifically train and support local healthcare workers who have the cultural competency and context to best serve their neighbors," said Representative Espaillat . "Expanding mental health resources that take into account culture and language considerations, will help decrease stigmas that communities, particularly minority communities, face when addressing mental health and getting the support individuals need. Our bill will create a framework tailored to remove barriers that have long prevented marginalized communities from seeking mental health services as well as provide federal grant funding to ensure these services are in place when needed.” "A deepening workforce shortage strains providers who work tirelessly on the frontlines to meet growing demand for mental health and substance use treatment and care,” said Chuck Ingoglia , President and CEO of National Council for Mental Wellbeing “The Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act would help them greatly by creating more opportunities to expand the workforce and give communities more resources to meet demand. We applaud Senator Booker for introducing this legislation to develop a new pipeline into the behavioral health field and help to make mental wellbeing — the foundation of living a strong, healthy and fulfilling life — a reality for everyone.” The Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act would: Establish a competitive federal grant program to support certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, hospitals, and other behavioral health organizations in developing and expanding community mental wellness worker training programs. Provide evidence-based training in mental health screening, early identification of common mental health conditions, patient engagement, and connecting individuals to treatment and recovery resources. Strengthen workforce development by supporting evidence-based hiring, supervision, and training practices, including strategies to recruit workers who reflect the communities they serve. Expand culturally responsive care by helping behavioral health providers integrate trained community mental wellness workers into care teams. Provide medical malpractice liability coverage for program participants and providers while services are delivered within the scope of the training program. The legislation is endorsed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Occupational Therapy Association, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, Huntington’s Disease Society, International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Disability Rights Network, National League for Nursing, Psychotherapy Action Network, The Kennedy Forum, Western Youth Services, and Postpartum Support International. Read the one-pager on the bill here. Read the full text of the legislation here.