H.R. 6226: Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act

This bill, known as the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act, aims to improve mental health outcomes among Hispanic and Latino youth through several key initiatives:

Awareness and Outreach Campaign

The bill proposes the development of a national awareness and outreach campaign focused on promoting mental health and reducing stigma specifically within the Hispanic and Latino youth population. This campaign will:

• Be informed by a study evaluating previous mental health outreach efforts.
• Engage with various health and education departments and relevant advocacy organizations.
• Address the mental health needs and cultural nuances of Hispanic and Latino communities.

Campaign Elements

This campaign will include:

• Creating awareness materials that outline mental illness symptoms, factors influencing mental health, and stigma reduction.
• Hosting workshops to educate parents, youth, teachers, and school staff about mental health issues.
• Providing training in mental health first aid for adults working with youth.
• Offering mental health screenings and consultations at schools and community centers.

Study on Mental Health Among Hispanic and Latino Youth

The bill mandates a study of mental health among this youth population which will assess:

• The prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders.
• The rates of attempted suicides and effectiveness of treatment availability.
• The awareness of and access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
• Utilization and availability of crisis care services.

Within one year after the enactment, a report will be made public summarizing the findings, identifying barriers to access, and making recommendations for improvement.

Study on Mental Health Workforce

Another critical study outlined in the bill will focus on the shortage of mental health professionals who identify as Hispanic or Latino. This will include:

• The total number of licensed mental health providers in this demographic.
• An assessment of the barriers these professionals may face in providing care.
• Recommendations for increasing the representation of Hispanic and Latino individuals in mental health training programs.

A report summarizing the findings of this study must also be published within one year of the bill’s enactment.

Funding

The bill authorizes funding for these initiatives, proposing:

• $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2030 for the awareness and outreach campaign.
• $1 million for the studies addressing the mental health crisis and workforce shortage for fiscal year 2026.

Goals of the Bill

Overall, the goals of the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act are to:

• Increase awareness and accessibility of mental health services for Hispanic and Latino youth.
• Reduce stigma related to mental health disorders in these communities.
• Improve mental health outcomes and support systems for Hispanic and Latino youth.

Relevant Companies

• MDLZ: Mondelez International - As a major snacks company, they may participate in programs aimed at youth engagement and mental health resources through community partnerships.
• KO: The Coca-Cola Company - Similarly, Coca-Cola might be involved in sponsoring community health initiatives or programs that align with their corporate social responsibility goals.