Bill Overview
Title: Post-Disaster Mental Health Response Act
Description: This bill authorizes the provision of professional counseling services to victims of declared emergencies (current law limits such authorization to victims of major disasters).
Sponsors: Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by declared emergencies
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill expands the authorization for professional counseling services from victims of major disasters to victims of declared emergencies.
- Declared emergencies include but are not limited to major disasters, implying that the scope is broader and could potentially include events with lesser severity.
- Mental health services would likely benefit individuals affected by both natural and man-made emergencies significantly.
Reasoning
- The introduced policy targets a population that potentially exceeds the capacity to serve everyone immediately, considering the estimated 500,000 potential beneficiaries versus a budget that isn't infinite.
- The largest direct impacts in the first year will likely be felt by those closely affected by recent emergencies due to immediate availability of services.
- The impact will be uneven across demographics, as those who are most vulnerable (socioeconomically disadvantaged, elderly, disabled) are also likely to benefit the most from receiving support.
- Many indirect beneficiaries may not see a significant change in wellbeing scores if their circumstances don't prompt using the newly available resources.
- Budget constraints imply a need to prioritize services based on severity and urgency deciders, such as location severity and individual vulnerability markers.
Simulated Interviews
small business owner (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great that more people can get counseling after all sorts of emergencies. We need this kind of support in our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
software developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel like these expansions are important, but I probably won't use them as I manage okay with my current supports.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
college student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to mental health should be available to everyone, and it's good they're expanding it to include more emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
nurse (Miami, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this policy will help our community better cope with the aftermath of repeated emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
unemployed (Houston, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I really need some help dealing with stress, and hopefully, this policy makes it easier for people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding support makes sense, especially with the kind of events we've been through lately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
retired (Oklahoma City, OK)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure if I'd use the services, but they will be helpful to folks who need them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
firefighter (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe mental health services are essential for recovery, and more people having access is definitely positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
hotel manager (Memphis, TN)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad they're expanding who qualifies, but we'll have to see if it really reaches everyone in need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
student (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More mental health support is crucial, especially with everything happening today in communities like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $750000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $900000000)
Year 2: $750000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $900000000)
Year 3: $750000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $900000000)
Year 5: $750000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $900000000)
Year 10: $750000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $900000000)
Year 100: $750000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $900000000)
Key Considerations
- The broader definition of emergencies under this bill increases the number of eligible individuals significantly.
- Mental health treatment can prevent more severe, costly health issues in the future, potentially leading to societal benefits outside direct cost savings.
- Long-term funding sustainability needs to be considered, as this is an indefinite commitment to providing expanded coverage.