Press Releases

Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) hosted an informational mental health seminar in Williamsburg to provide parents, educators, first responders, and interested Virginia’s First District residents with resources to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy. The congressman was joined by mental and behavioral health professionals from Colonial Behavioral Health, Riverside Health System, and the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

Watch the livestream of the seminar here.

"As a member of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus and Military Mental Health Caucus, ensuring our community is equipped with the information and resources we need to stay safe and healthy remains one of my top priorities," said Rep. Wittman. "It is imperative that we collaborate across local, state, and federal governments to inject adequate mental health resources into our health systems. I thank the experts who joined us today for engaging with Virginia’s First District residents, and I look forward to our continued efforts in building a more healthy and safe community."

Throughout his time in Congress, Rep. Wittman has supported increased mental health funding and resources:

• Voted for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 
  • Funds the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative and Children’s Mental Health Services program.
  • Supports mental health data collection and evaluation.
  • Funds grants for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, such as Colonial Behavioral Health.
  • Funds programs combating the opioid abuse epidemic.
  • Supports substance-use prevention and treatment programs.
  • Targets resources to rural communities, including telehealth.
• Voted for the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act
  • Funds grants for mental and behavioral health education and training.
  • Requires monitoring and reporting for child, youth, and adult trauma.
  • Establishes a task force to develop best practices for trauma-informed treatment.
• Cosponsored the Mental Health Access Improvement Act 
  • Provides for coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare.
  • Authorizes marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.
• Cosponsored the Timely Mental Health for Foster Youth Act
  • Requires an initial mental health screening within 30 days after a child enters foster care.
  • Requires a comprehensive assessment of a child's mental health within 60 days after the child's entry into foster care if a mental health issue is identified in the initial screening.
• Cosponsored the CARES Act 
  • Expanded telehealth services in the Medicare program to any current telehealth approved service, including mental health and substance abuse services.
  • Reauthorized and expanded Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide critical services both in person and via telemedicine to tens of thousands of vulnerable Americans suffering with mental health or addiction issues.
  • Provided a total of $425 million to address suicide prevention, mental and behavioral health priorities for tribes and tribal organizations, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and other emergency substance use disorder or mental health needs.

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