ICYMI: U.S. Rep. Ron Barber's Leadership on Mental Health Praised by Vice President

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber this week was called a "champion of mental health first aid" by Vice President Joe Biden at the conclusion of the National Conference on Mental Health.

Barber was invited to take part in yesterday's conference at the White House. Barber is a co-chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and is focused on the mental health aspect of what can be done to reduce the incidents of gun-related violence.

Barber has introduced the bipartisan Mental Health First Aid Act, which will provide education to increase public awareness of mental illness symptoms and services available by training teachers, students, firefighters, police officers, emergency services workers and members of the general public.

In closing remarks at yesterday's conference, Biden thanked Barber for "being such a champion of mental health first aid." The video of Biden's remarks can be seen here.

Mental Health First Aid was a component of a comprehensive plan to reduce gun-related violence. It also was agreed to with broad bipartisan support as an amendment to legislation recently considered by the Senate.

Last month, Barber hosted Mental Health First Aid training at the Capitol for members of Congress and congressional staff to mark May's designation as national Mental Health Month.

The National Conference on Mental Health was held Monday to increase understanding and awareness of mental health. As part of this effort, the government has launched mentalhealth.gov, a consumer-friendly website with tools to provide information about mental health, the signs of mental illness, how to talk about mental health and how to get help.

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