Addressing the Urgent Need for Bipartisan Support in Post-Election America:
A Focus on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Supportive Housing
The recent election has not only sparked debates across the country but has also highlighted the critical need for bipartisan support in areas that deeply affect human well-being. Mental health, substance use, public health, maternal health, and supportive housing are urgent issues that have intensified in recent years, accelerated by the pandemic, economic downturns, and a widespread mental health crisis. Human and social service providers hope that leaders on both sides of the aisle recognize the gravity of these issues and work together to implement sustainable, impactful policies that improve lives.
In this post-election period, there is a profound opportunity for elected officials to collaborate in ways that address these challenges comprehensively and compassionately. The stakes are high: according to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness, and the need for supportive policies that ensure access to quality services is critical. “Our mental health crisis is a public health crisis,” Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, stated earlier this year. “Addressing it must be our top priority because mental health is foundational to every aspect of life.”
A Mental Health Crisis and the Call for Action
The pandemic created a seismic shift in mental health needs, as isolation, job losses, and uncertainty took a toll on the population’s mental well-being. Recent studies show a dramatic increase in conditions like anxiety and depression across age groups and demographics. Mental health professionals are advocating for a federal commitment to expand mental health services, increase funding for community mental health centers, and bolster workforce development for more trained professionals in this field.
Legislators from both parties have already voiced support for mental health reform, indicating a promising avenue for collaboration. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act, which received bipartisan backing, is an example of how federal leaders can work together. By expanding access to mental health services for seniors on Medicare, this bill aims to address one of the many gaps in current mental health care coverage. Human and social service providers hope to see continued bipartisan legislation that enhances mental health services for all Americans, particularly for underserved communities that disproportionately face mental health disparities.
Addressing Substance Use Disorder and Its Ripple Effects
Alongside mental health, substance use disorder (SUD) is a growing issue that affects not only individuals but also families and communities. The opioid epidemic has been an ongoing public health crisis, claiming thousands of lives each year, while rates of alcohol and other substance use disorders have surged, further stretching the capacity of substance use disorder treatment programs. The pandemic worsened substance misuse, with the CDC reporting record high overdose deaths in the United States over recent years. Addressing substance use disorder requires not only treatment and prevention efforts but also wraparound services that support recovery and reintegration into society. Although the latest CDC overdose numbers have recently been declining, we have a long way to go!
One area where bipartisan support is essential is the need for federal funding that can support a full continuum of care. The Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, for example, proposed expanded funding and resources for addiction treatment facilities. Human service providers are hopeful that this post-election period will bring renewed energy to support such initiatives and bolster the infrastructure needed for substance use recovery services.
Maternal Health and Public Health: Protecting Mothers and Families
Maternal health has recently gained increased attention in public discourse, but disparities continue to persist. Black women, for instance, are significantly more likely to experience pregnancy-related complications and death than their white counterparts. The maternal health crisis has profound implications not only for mothers but also for families and communities, influencing long-term public health outcomes.
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, co-sponsored by bipartisan members, aimed to address these disparities through targeted federal funding and policy changes. This comprehensive package included provisions to improve maternal mental health services, increase support for mothers with SUD, and address social determinants of health that disproportionately affect mothers from marginalized backgrounds. Post-election, policymakers must continue to prioritize maternal health, ensuring that policies addressing these disparities are enacted with bipartisan support.
Supportive Housing: A Critical Component of Comprehensive Care
For individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, housing insecurity presents a barrier to recovery. Studies show that supportive housing—housing combined with access to services like case management, counseling, and medical care—significantly improves health outcomes for people with serious mental illness or SUD. Yet, there is a severe shortage of supportive housing across the country, particularly in areas hardest hit by homelessness.
The Housing First approach, which prioritizes providing permanent housing before other supportive services, has garnered bipartisan support in several states. This model has been proven to reduce homelessness and improve overall health outcomes. Human and social service providers are calling for federal funding to expand supportive housing programs, as they play a critical role in providing stable living conditions that facilitate recovery and reintegration into the community. Both parties must work together to bridge the gap in affordable, supportive housing to combat homelessness and provide meaningful support to those with mental health and substance use disorders.
The Path Forward: A Bipartisan Commitment to Human and Social Services
For post-election America, the hope is that these pressing issues will receive the bipartisan attention they deserve. Mental health, substance use, maternal health, and supportive housing are not partisan issues but human ones. Effective policies require an understanding that these domains are interconnected, affecting millions of lives and demanding comprehensive approaches.
The need for robust, bipartisan support is urgent. Addressing these challenges requires cross-party collaboration, particularly in a time when our society is more divided than ever. Leaders in both parties must work together to pass and support legislation that promotes equitable access to mental health care, combats substance misuse, protects maternal health, and ensures housing for those in need. Working across political divides to address these issues can be a unifying force, one that reaffirms the nation’s commitment to the health and well-being of all its citizens.
The moment is ripe for meaningful change. With bipartisan support, the United States can make strides toward a more compassionate, supportive society where every person has the opportunity to thrive.