State Of The Union Address Confronts The National Mental Health Crisis

Various stakeholders applauded President Biden for elevating the mental health crisis to a priority for his administration.

Washington, D.C., March 1, 2022: Yesterday, President Biden delivered the first State of the Union address of his presidency, outlining critical efforts to restrict the conflict in Ukraine, to maintain the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, and to further improve the U.S. economy. The President also presented the Unity Agenda, a comprehensive strategy with which to tackle issues in four major areas - the opioid epidemic, the state of mental healthcare, support for veterans, and an end to cancer. Of the growing mental health crisis in America, he said, “Let's get all Americans the mental health services they need.” Preceding the address, a background of the President’s remarks was released by the administration, outlining plans to improve the quality of life for the American people.

President Biden acknowledged social isolation as a factor in the growing national mental health crisis and put forward a range of policies to address it, including building system capacity, connecting people to care, and providing support to American adults and youth by strengthening social connection and addressing mental health equity. “We know far too many Americans experience social isolation and a sense of loneliness. The absence of meaningful social connections is not age-restricted. Often, as we age, the quality of social connections may diminish resulting in a profound sense of loneliness that can have devastating mental and physical effects,” said S. Orlene Grant, President and CEO of the Juanita C. Grant Foundation. 

The mental health crisis in America needs the energy and support of a diverse set of health innovators, community organizers, health providers, educators and thought leaders to create and implement effective policies and practices that address the social isolation and loneliness epidemic throughout its life cycle. For more information, please visit our website at www.jcgfdn.org

About the Juanita C. Grant Foundation 

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation (JCGF) provides education and training, advocacy and research addressing economic insecurity, social connectedness, workforce development and quality of life challenges for older adults. To learn more about our initiatives and join us on this journey, please visit our website at www.jcgfdn.org

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