Early Childhood

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) should issue recommendations on screening for suicide risk in depression screeners for perinatal and postpartum periods. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) should update its Women’s Preventive Service Guidelines to incorporate maternal mental health screening and intervention.

The National Institute of Mental Health should fund research on the causes and potential treatments for postpartum psychosis, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) should convene relevant clinical specialty associations to create screening and treatment guidelines.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should require mental health screenings when a child enters foster care and comprehensive assessments when a mental health challenge is identified; improve and invest in the availability and provision of mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) services for youth in foster care; and provide technical assistance for states to cover certain specialized services for foster youth enrolled in Medicaid who have intensive MH/SUD needs with guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).[1][2][3]

Congress should direct resources (research, grants, guidance) to domestic violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) by passing the Protect Moms from Domestic Violence Act.

Congress should pass legislation like the Strengthen Kids’ Mental Health Now Act to increase community-based provider rates and expand the capacity and availability of pediatric mental health services.

Congress should pass legislation to increase investments to support infants, children, youth, and families who have experienced, or may experience, trauma such as the Rise from Trauma Act.