Summary of HRES 764: Recognizing Disparities in Black Youth Mental Health Access and Treatment

Bill Number: HRES 764

Introduced: September 23, 2025

Status: Submitted in House

Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HRES 764 aims to address the ongoing disparities in mental health access and treatment for Black youth in the United States. The resolution seeks to raise awareness of these disparities and calls for action from the current administration to improve mental health resources and support for this demographic.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes several important provisions:

1. Recognition of Disparities: Acknowledges the significant gaps in mental health access and treatment faced by Black youth.

2. Call to Action for the Administration: Urges the current administration to continue efforts initiated by the previous administration, specifically referencing the recommendations from the report titled Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America.

3. Community Engagement: Emphasizes the need for open discussions about mental health within Black communities. It encourages individuals to seek help to prevent suicide and suicide attempts and supports educational programming, such as the L.E.T.S. Save Lives initiative, aimed at reducing stigma and fostering conversations about mental health.

4. Funding for Mental Health Programs: Calls for increased funding for all programs that support mental health initiatives, particularly those targeting Black youth.

5. Support for SAMHSA: Advocates for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) to remain an independent agency, rather than being merged into the proposed Administration for a Healthy America (AHA).

Impact

This resolution is significant as it seeks to:

• Raise Awareness: By recognizing the disparities in mental health access for Black youth, the resolution aims to bring national attention to this critical issue.

• Encourage Policy Change: By calling for specific actions from the administration, it seeks to influence policy and funding decisions that could improve mental health services for Black youth.

• Promote Community Health: By fostering conversations and reducing stigma, the resolution aims to empower Black communities to address mental health issues proactively.

Procedural Aspects

• Referral: On the day of its introduction, September 23, 2025, HRES 764 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for further consideration.

This resolution represents a critical step towards addressing mental health disparities among Black youth and highlights the importance of community engagement and adequate funding in tackling these issues.