Federal News & Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 31, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education FY2021 appropriations bill that includes much needed funding for mental health care and medical research. The bill, which includes a total of $96.4 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, was part of a seven-bill spending package (HR 7617). Among the provisions supported by the APA are:

• A total of $6 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an increase of more than $100 million over the previous fiscal year for mental health and substance use-related programs. The APA effectively worked with mental health partners resulting in a $35 million increase to the SAMHSA budget to improve...

WASHINGTON D.C. JULY 15, 2020 – The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognize that education, including school attendance, is an essential component of successful and healthy development for all children and adolescents. Access to universal, high-quality education is always the goal, but is especially true in the COVID-19 era, when many have had their education compromised and experience higher levels of stress from social isolation.

We recommend that school reopening plans proceed with appropriate care and include the following precautions:

1. Public health agencies must make recommendations about returning to school in the classroom, based on scientific evidence and local community circumstances, devoid of politics, with careful...