Hoyer Hosts Mental Health Care Roundtable
Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Glenn Ivey take a group photo with meeting attendees.
As part of the Regional Leadership Council’s Week of Action, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer hosted a roundtable to highlight the second anniversary of the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Also in attendance were Congressman Glenn Ivey and leaders from Community Crisis Services Inc., US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Maryland Department of Health, and Vibrant Emotional Health.
The discussion took place at CCSI’s headquarters in Prince George’s County and focused on how direct funding from Democrats’ Investing in America Agenda is expanding the life-saving reach of 988, improving public awareness and access to care, and supporting the mental health care workforce in Maryland.
Congressman Hoyer and roundtable participants highlighted how Investing in America funding is supporting crisis call centers, like CCSI, that provide accessible services for Marylanders in crisis, including through American Sign Language, Spanish language, and text and chat services.
“As House Majority Leader in the 117th Congress, I was proud to bring the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the American Rescue Plan to the floor to help fund essential mental health care services like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Hotline,” Rep. Hoyer said. “I am so grateful to have exceptional mental health care providers in our community, like CCSI. They exemplify what it means to serve one’s community and it was a privilege to hear about the life-saving services they offer.”
“It is great to see the good work being done in the mental health and suicide prevention space by our 988 Lifeline partners, especially those at CCSI Inc. I commend RLC Chair Hoyer and our other Democratic leaders for passing and implementing our Investing in America Agenda. These dollars dedicated to saving lives, bring out the best in our community to empathize with, and empower people, to seek help instead of self-harm or visit hurt upon others. I look forward to a happier, healthier community as the dividends from these investments in the American Rescue Plan and other government programs yields fruitful results. Keep up the sterling efforts,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey.
About 988
The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration launched the 988 Lifeline on July 16, 2022.
Since then, significant investments have been made to expand and support the lifeline, including recently through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the American Rescue Plan, and the FY 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
Congressman Hoyer is chair of the Regional Leadership Council.
For more information about Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, visit his Leader member page.
