Us Congress House Bill HB3316

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/9/25
• Refer: 5/9/25

Caption

Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025

Impact

If enacted, HB3316 will lead to the development of a national strategy focused on behavioral health that is tailored to the AANHPI demographic. The bill requires systematic reviews of the current behavioral health landscape for AANHPI youth, including an assessment of the prevalence of mental health challenges and factors contributing to substance misuse. Additionally, it calls for the disaggregation of behavioral health data to accurately reflect the diverse experiences and needs of AANHPI subpopulations. The focus on increasing the number of AANHPI behavioral health workers is intended to address workforce shortages in this critically underrepresented sector.

Summary

House Bill 3316, titled the 'Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025,' aims to address significant behavioral health challenges faced by the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The bill proposes a comprehensive national outreach and education strategy to improve mental health awareness and treatment accessibility for these populations, which have historically had low rates of mental health service utilization. The legislation recognizes the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate services and initiatives to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health care, which is particularly acute in these communities.

Contention

Notably, the bill highlights the stark disparities faced by AANHPI youth, who experience the highest rates of suicide within this demographic compared to other racial groups. Opponents might raise concerns about whether resources allocated under the bill will effectively reach the intended communities and whether there are adequate measures in place to ensure that outreach strategies respect and incorporate the cultural practices and preferences of AANHPI individuals. Additionally, the adequacy of funding, set at $1.5 million for initial implementation, may come under scrutiny as advocates argue for more substantial investments to combat systemic barriers.