National Organizations Call on Congress to Address Children's Mental Health Now

More than 25 national organizations, led by Children's Hospital Association (CHA), sent a letter to congressional leaders urging action to improve kids' access to mental health services. In the letter, the health groups representing hospitals, pediatric providers, mental health advocates and others ask Congress to address the immediate crisis in children's mental health as well as long-standing issues that impact children and adolescents' access to appropriate mental health care.

Included are five ways Congress can improve mental health care for kids:

• Strengthen Medicaid
• Extend and preserve telehealth flexibilities
• Strengthen systems of care through better coordination and integration
• Invest in infrastructure to promote care in the appropriate setting
• Support the growth of the pediatric mental health workforce