Two days ago, I introduced the “Healthy Transition Act” (H.R. 6375), legislation to address the unique needs of young people struggling with mental illness as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. Two great champions of improved mental health care, Senator Gordon Smith and Senator Chris Dodd, introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

Young adults suffering from mental illness fall through the cracks far too often. Last year, Senator Smith and I requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examine this issue. The GAO issued their report on Wednesday and the findings should disturb us all. At least 2.4 million young adults age 18-26 suffer from serious mental illness. Another 9.3 million have mild or moderate mental illness. Currently, there is no specific federal program aimed at these youth. Instead, we are left with a fragmented and ad hoc system that does not meet their unique needs. Not surprisingly, many of these youth are adrift- without services, support, or guidance. They have lower education and employment rates than their peers and they are more likely to end up in jail or homeless. For youth who are aging out of foster care with no family supports the situation is particularly dire. One recent study found that these youth suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at rates similar to Iraq War veterans.

The GAO has clearly laid out the problem. But it is not enough to simply describe the current situation and become angry. Our outrage must lead to action. The “Healthy Transition Act,” if enacted will change the tragic and unnecessary status quo and bring real support to millions of young people.

The bill builds on the successful Partnership for Youth in Transition Demonstration Program. It will provide grant funding to states to develop and implement statewide coordination plans to assist adolescents and young adults with serious mental health disorders to acquire the skills and resources they need to make a healthy transition into adulthood. The legislation also creates a Committee of Federal Partners, including representatives from all agencies that serve young adults as well as advocacy organizations. The Federal Partners will evaluate the programs, provide technical assistance, and report to Congress on the progress being made.

The misguided clamoring to drill for oil on every inch of federal land has lately taken center stage. As a nation, however, our children are our greatest and most precious resource. We should measure ourselves by how well we equip them to succeed and lead healthy and fulfilling lives. For young people with mental health disorders, we have an obligation to provide the supports and resources they need to make a healthy transition. The “Healthy Transition Act” is bill is a crucial step toward fulfilling that obligation

This entry was posted on Friday, June 27th, 2008 at 9:41 am and is filed under Politics .