This week, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) was named co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus. He joins Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) as co-lead of this crucial group that is committed to fighting our nation’s ongoing mental health crisis.
“I couldn’t be prouder to co-chair this bipartisan caucus and elevate the conversation around mental health,” said Rep. Stewart. “Congresswoman Napolitano has done outstanding work as co-chair of this caucus, and I’m eager to join her efforts on this all-important issue. It’s a topic that hits home for everyone – suicide is a top ten cause of death nationwide, as well as in my home state. We are wholeheartedly committed to finding real-world, bipartisan solutions to help all Americans struggling with mental health challenges, and we will work tirelessly to uphold that commitment.”
“I am thrilled to announce Congressman Stewart has agreed to serve as Co-Chair of our Mental Health Caucus,” Napolitano said. “With great passion for the issue of mental health, especially in the areas of suicide prevention and life-saving services for veterans, our entire caucus and our constituents will benefit from him serving in this expanded role. I am very grateful to Congressman Stewart for his willingness to be Co-Chair, and I look forward to our continued work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, raise the visibility for mental health reforms, and find solutions to improve mental health care and delivery of services to all in need.”
Rep. Stewart was the author of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, legislation to designate 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for the national suicide prevention and crisis services lifeline. The Senate companion of his bill was signed into law in October 2020 and took effect in July 2022. Prior to the launch of 9-8-8 last summer, Rep. Stewart was named a Co-Chair of the newly formed 988 & Crisis Services Task Force, which operates under the Mental Health Caucus.
Congresswoman Napolitano is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, where she promotes access to mental health for children and adolescents, improved mental health resources for veterans and seniors, and increased mental health coverage for all.
