By Maria -Paula

Congressman A. Donald McEachin (D) announced a $1,398,428 grant, a funding recommended to be spent addressing mental health emergency preparedness and crisis response efforts in the commonwealth.

Funded through the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the allocation is part of $59.4 million in total grant funding awarded to the States and the District of Columbia and its territories by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) but distributed through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program.

To fill the void in regards to mental health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through a letter to state mental health commissioners recommended that Virginias behavioral health systems examine requirements to address mental health needs in communities. This they suggested should follow traumatic events such as mass shootings.

“Mental health issues touch the lives of too many Americans with over one million Virginians alone currently struggling with some form of mental illness. Traumatic events, such as mass shootings and other tragedies, can have severely adverse psychological impacts on community members and compound existing mental health issues,” said Rep. McEachin. “As we continue working to combat gun violence and address mental health crisis, this funding will be invaluable to those efforts and help shore up our emergency preparedness capabilities. I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and I am pleased to see these funds being delivered to Virginia. It is imperative we continue fighting to ensure individuals have access to the treatment, care, and resources they need.”

Rep. McEachin (VA-04) was among the 50 democrats and 15 Republicans who overwhelmingly voted in support of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act( S. 2938) in June. This was a legislative proposal to protect American children, reduce the threat of gun violence across the nation and keep our schools safe while promoting mental health.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act involves:

1. Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders: Creates $750 million for states to build and supervise laws that will ensure destructive weapons are kept away from individuals restricted by a court.
2. Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence by Closing the Boyfriend Loophole: Adds convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
3. Penalties for Straw Purchasing: Creates federal straw purchasing and gun trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to target dangerous illegal gunrunners.
4. Clarified Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer: Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifies which sellers need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records.
5. Enhanced Background Checks for People Under 21: Requires an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement, for buyers under 21 years of age, creating an enhanced, longer background check of up to ten days.
6. Anti-Violence Community Initiatives: Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
7. Investments in Children & Family Mental Health Services: Supports the national expansion of community behavioral health center model, improves access to mental health services for children, youth, and families through Medicaid, CHIP, and telehealth, and provides major investments at the Department of Health and Human Services.

With all the funding awarded to improve Virginia Mental Health Services through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, organizations from the Center for Mental Health Services to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Commonwealth looks forward to a mentally healthy and safe community.