HR 3717 addresses a long list of inadequacies for people who suffer from serious mental illness and provides for an increase in psychiatric beds, and the ability of families to communicate with mental health professionals and treatment options for seriously mentally ill individuals. HR3717 reauthorizes mental health courts and the Garrett Lee Smith suicide prevention program. HR 3717 undertakes a national campaign aimed at reducing the stigma of severe mental illness in schools. HR 3717 extends the health information technology incentive program to mental health providers so they can communicate and work with primary care clinicians. HR 3717 also advances telepsychiatry to link pediatricians and primary care physicians with psychiatrists and psychologists.

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our Representative Jared Huffman to act now to co-sponsor HR 3717 “The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act”