# Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023

This bill directs the federal government to create and carry out a focused campaign to improve mental health awareness and reduce shame around mental health issues within Hispanic and Latino communities. The government would work with mental health organizations and community groups that already serve Latino populations to develop educational materials and outreach programs tailored specifically to these communities.

The campaign would be designed to meet the real needs of different Latino groups, recognizing that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Materials would be available in Spanish and English, account for different age groups and life experiences, and address specific mental health challenges that affect Latino communities differently than others. The strategy would teach people about common mental health symptoms, explain what treatments actually work, and emphasize that mental health is just as important as physical health. It would also specifically address how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of Latino communities.

A key part of this bill is that it requires community members and people with lived experience of mental health challenges to help develop these materials and programs—not just government officials or outside experts. The government would also have to report back to Congress every year about whether the campaign is actually working and improving mental health outcomes for Latino populations.

The bill provides $1 million in funding for fiscal year 2024 to get this effort started. While this is a modest amount, the real impact depends on how effectively the government partners with existing community organizations and whether the campaign reaches people who might otherwise avoid seeking help due to cultural stigma around mental illness.

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023

Napolitano, Grace F.

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy regarding behavioral health issues among the Hispanic and Latino populations. The strategy must be designed to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among such populations.