Sandy Hook Promise Applauds Effort to Protect children
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Mental Health Matters Act,” which supports mental health services and interventions. Important measures focused on supporting children were incorporated into the bill, including the “Early Childhood Mental Health Act,” “Building Pipeline of School-Based Mental Health Service Providers Act,” “Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act” and “Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act.” Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement in response:
“We applaud the House for passing the ‘Mental Health Matters Act.’ Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people; children are experiencing increased trauma, with two-thirds experiencing a traumatic event by the time they reach the age of 16. Our kids are crying out for help and this legislation will help them receive the mental health interventions and treatment they need. The ‘Mental Health Matters Act’ will help save lives.
“We encourage the Senate to act now to protect our children by passing the ‘Mental Health Awareness Act.’ No parent should suffer the death of a child to suicide. Our children need mental health support and interventions now.”
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
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