Public Health & Data

Congress should pass the Pride in Mental Health Act, which would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to survey the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth to better understand their mental health and incidences of child abuse and neglect.[1][2] The bill would also improve mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth by developing new resources, training for caregivers, and school bullying prevention guidelines.[1][2]

The new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention should include quantitative outcomes goals against which progress can be measured and which can inspire public-private coordination to prevent suicide and hold systems accountable for demonstrable progress.

Congress should pass the Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2023, which would reauthorize the Elder Justice Act and appropriate $250 million to address social isolation and loneliness for older adults.

Congress should pass legislation such as the RISE from Trauma Act to dedicate funding to Group Violence Intervention (GVI) programs, Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs), and street outreach.

The Administration should reinstitute the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) program to improve data collection and provide resources for other promising surveillance systems.[1]

To prevent suicides and other gun-related violence, Congress should pass legislation to require gun buyers to wait 7 to 10 days before accessing a gun they have purchased.