Public Health & Data

To reduce the risk of firearm-related violence and suicide, the Department of Justice should encourage states to adopt and enforce Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) laws, which allow law enforcement and family members to petition the court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others.[1] Congress should appropriate funds through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program to support the implementation and enforcement of ERPO laws, including funding for training programs for law enforcement and mental health professionals.

Congress should fund the creation of a robust national mental health and substance use public health surveillance system within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Given the trauma and mental health impacts of mass shootings, Congress should ban the sale and possession of assault weapons and dangerous hardware including silencers, high-capacity magazines, bump stocks, and other conversion devices.[1]

Congress should increase funding for research on the impact of social media and technology on youth mental health and for consumer education about potential mental health risks online.[1]

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should once again collect eating disorder data through its Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).[1]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should include mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) screening, supports, and services in all pandemic and natural disaster planning and response efforts.[1]