Sandy Hook Promise, a movement of almost half a million people that focuses on preventing gun violence before it happens, is supporting the Mental Health Reform Act of 2015. The legislation, proposed by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), provides meaningful mental health reform at a national level that could also help to reduce gun violence throughout the country.
The bill takes a multi-faceted approach to improving the mental health care system, including:
- A grant program focused on early intervention for children who display risk factors related to mental illness
- A new Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Coordinating Committee that will document and promote research and treatment related to SMI
- Strengthening mental health services within Medicaid/Medicare
"By addressing the need for better mental health care, Senators Murphy and Cassidy are leading a meaningful effort to help millions of Americans in need of assistance. As an organization that deals with the issue of gun violence every day, we know all too well that though only a small percentage of people with mental illness will go on to hurt themselves or someone else, the damage they can do is enormous. Early identification, intervention and help is needed to prevent gun violence before it happens," said Nicole Hockley, Managing Director for Sandy Hook Promise.
Sandy Hook Promise applauds the Senators for their focus on mental health intervention at the federal level and will support them in getting this legislation through the Senate.
A 2013 report on the Sandy Hook shootings made it clear that there were failures in identifying the shooter's mental health issues and coordinating care and intervention around those issues.