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U.S. lawmakers call for research into the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health.
Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Tim Kaine of Virginia exclusively told CNN that they plan to introduce the Covid-19 Mental Health Research Act on Tuesday afternoon. The bill would allocate $ 100 million per year for five years to the National Institute of Mental Health to fund research into the consequences of the pandemic on mental health.
Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Paul Tonko and Republican John Katko, both from New York, will present the version of the legislation to the House, according to Klobuchar’s office.
“Healthcare workers have guided our communities through this crisis, and many are experiencing acute stress and anxiety,” Klobuchar said in a statement to CNN.
“Children, adolescents and the elderly have also been uniquely affected. To understand how we can best support them – and all Americans – through this difficult time, we must assess the magnitude of this mental health crisis and take action to promote recovery and healing, ”she said.
The proposed bill would support research that examines the consequences of the pandemic on mental health, particularly for healthcare workers. Other funding would support post-pandemic mental health interventions and suicide prevention.
Tonko said focusing on mental health will be part of “rebuilding America” after the pandemic, especially for medical professionals and emergency responders.
“Every day they show up for work, they risk exposure to this deadly virus and bear an unimaginable emotional burden on us all to keep our families and communities safe. We must do more to support them and make sure we work to understand even the hidden costs they incur, ”he said, adding that he urged his colleagues in the House and Senate to move the bill forward.
A study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry in February, found that emergency room visits related to mental health, suicide attempts, overdoses, intimate partner violence and suspected child abuse were generally higher during the pandemic last year than during the same period the year before. .
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