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: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by declared emergencies
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The provision of mental health services will be relevant to individuals who have experienced declared emergencies.
- Emergencies can include natural disasters, severe weather events, public health emergencies, and other situations as officially declared in diverse regions around the world.
- Such events are common around the globe impacting large populations annually.
- Mental health issues can arise immediately after an emergency or over time, thus ongoing support can be crucial.
Reasoning
- The target population affected by declared emergencies in the US is estimated to be around 5 million.
- The policy budget is limited, so the focus will likely be on the most affected regions and incidents.
- Mental health services could be both immediate post-disaster response and ongoing support to address chronic issues.
- The anticipated wider scope compared to the current law means a likely significant increase in service uptake.
- Wellbeing improvements will be most notable in those experiencing ongoing psychological issues from emergencies. Alongside, some people’s scores might not improve due to either low-level impact or unmet expectations.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The expansion of services to cover more emergencies is a relief. It was difficult to get help after Harvey, and knowing that more people like me who didn’t lose everything but still struggled have access is reassuring.
- I hope the service expansion turns into better availability in my local area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Electrician (Paradise, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see this policy cover more situations. It always felt like they left people out after smaller events, so this is a good change.
- I hope they have enough counselors to meet demand—it’s been tough to find appointments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think including smaller emergencies is fair and necessary.
- My apartment flooded, and it was hard finding the right resources at the time without something more major being declared.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High School Teacher (Oklahoma City, OK)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see more funds and services for our community. Each tornado season brings stress and anxiety for everyone.
- I hope they have systems in place to make access straightforward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Farmer (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this are necessary but could use more community focus to be truly effective.
- Not everyone feels the state or federal agencies are in touch with local needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Graphic Designer (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy should make counseling more accessible without needing a major disaster declaration like we had during COVID-19.
- Access is great, but affordability is another concern.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Chef (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There are still many in my community facing mental health struggles due to past hurricanes. More services mean more healing for us.
- It's a step in the right direction, but I worry about how much it will change—will we really see more counselors?
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Paramedic (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding services should reduce some of the psychological burden I see in victims.
- We need training for responders to understand how to guide victims towards these resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Local Politician (Monroe, LA)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The broadening of services aligns with our local policies to effectively mitigate long-term disaster impacts.
- It’s crucial we think about implementing sustainable mental health education and prevention strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Hotel Manager (San Juan, PR)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see mental health services prioritized. Many here could benefit from this expanded coverage.
- However, it's not just about offering services—people need to trust and feel comfortable reaching out.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $750000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 2: $775000000 (Low: $525000000, High: $1025000000)
Year 3: $800000000 (Low: $550000000, High: $1050000000)
Year 5: $850000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 10: $950000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 100: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Key Considerations
- The total cost will fluctuate based on the frequency and magnitude of emergencies each year.
- This policy could stave off increased mental health issues over time, potentially reducing demand for more extensive medical interventions.
- Fiscal effects extend beyond primary costs and savings, contributing indirectly to workforce stability and productivity.