U.S. Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Republican Conference and a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, took his concerns about mental health ramifications of the pandemic to the House Floor late last week and walked away with a victory. His peers agreed with his concerns, and overwhelmingly passed his legislation H.R. 2877, the Behavioral Intervention Guidelines (BIG) Act, by a vote of 323-93-2.
U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson
Late last month, InsiderAdvantage reported on the BIG Act, which would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in consultation with the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and a wide array of stakeholders to develop best practices for the proper use and implementation of behavioral intervention programs to help communities identify the earliest signs of violence to self or others.
Ferguson introduced the bill along with Congressmen Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), Scott Peters (D-Calif), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif), and U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Angus King (I-ME) . It has received widespread support from educational institutions and mental health organizations, including Columbus State University which is one of a number of educational institutions that have implemented successful behavioral intervention programs following the 2008 tragedy at Virginia Tech University.
“Columbus State University wholeheartedly supports the Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act as a means of ensuring we place as much focus on a college student’s mental health as we do on educating them and preparing them for their chosen careers,” said Dr. Chris Markwood, President of Columbus State University: “Mental health difficulties can affect many areas of their lives. If not addressed during their formative college years, those challenges could exacerbate well into their adult years. Left unaddressed, these difficulties will only compound, jeopardize their livelihoods, and threaten the fabric of the American family.”
Speaking on the House Floor in support of the bill, Ferguson said, “Without question, we have all seen how the mental health issues in America have been growing, and they’ve been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, “And the urgency to address this crisis has become more dire as we’re seeing how fear, anxiety, financial problems, and particularly isolation have compounded these issues.
“This straightforward bill works to provide local communities and educational systems with the tools that they need to help identify mental health needs before it’s too late…I can tell you that early intervention is vitally important.”
Ferguson pointed out that the bill has the support of mental health organizations, mental health providers, many colleges and universities, and other individuals across this country.
“Together, we can and we should increase the mental health well-being of our fellow Americans…It is so important that we act to improve access across our country to high quality, evidence-based mental health care services.”
