Two bills introduced this week by State Rep. John Galloway are aimed at expanding access to mental health resources for kids.
Galloway, a Democrat, introduced House Bill 2194 that would create grants to support mental health services through schools. The funds could be used to find and diagnose mental health conditions among students and fund transportation for children receiving school-linked mental health services.
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His second proposal, House Bill 2187, would establish a statewide children’s mental health ombudsman. The ombudsman would advocate for kids with mental health disorders, identity barriers to treatment, monitor compliance with laws related to children’s behavioral health services, and investigate and attempt to resolve complaints relating to violations by regulated entities.
“Since research has shown that two-thirds of children receive their counseling in schools, we want to expand mental health resources there to serve all children in need. No child should be left to suffer,” Galloway said.
The 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health found that one in six American children between the ages of 6 and 17 had a treatable mental health disorder ranging from depression to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
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“Untreated mental health issues is one of the most pressing issues our society faces,” said Galloway. “Early detection and treatment of mental health issues literally saves lives, mitigating the effects of the illnesses and giving our children the skills to cope with them.”
Galloway’s district covers all of Bristol Borough, Falls Township, Tullytown, and parts of Bristol Township, Middletown, and Morrisville.
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