Readout of Cárdenas Roundtable on the Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health with HHS Secretary Becerra
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY — On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) joined Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra in two roundtables on the impact of social media on youth mental health. The panel amplified the voices of students and parents at Montebello High School, discussing immigration, the upcoming transition to the 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline and the importance of language access in mental health resources. Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), City of Montebello Mayor Kimberly Ann Cobos-Cawthorne, Los Angeles County Director of Mental Health Dr. Jonathan Sherin and Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Debra Duardo also participated in the discussion.
In his remarks, Congressman Cárdenas spoke about losing a friend to suicide in high school. He also spoke about the new national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, 988, and the importance of passing his 988 Implementation Act to support the helpline, which is launching in July. This comprehensive legislation will support crisis response to mental health emergencies and provide federal funding and guidance for states to implement their crisis response infrastructure.
In response to Congressman Cárdenas, a student said, “I hope you do something great with 988,” adding “it’s hard for us to know where to turn.”
Throughout the discussion, students and parents discussed how social media platforms can promote unhealthy social comparisons and enable harassment, stalking and cyberbullying. As stated in the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on protecting youth mental health from 2021, there is a wide range of causes for the national youth mental health crisis but there is mounting evidence that social media is harmful to many kids’ and teens’ mental health, well-being, and development.
Students asked participating policymakers to do what they can to make social media platforms safer for young people. Many of the students mentioned that they had experienced first-hand the “addictive” nature of social media and seek out tools to better manage their use. Given the pervasiveness of social media use, students also highlighted that they will continue to look for forums to discuss mental health and social media further.
Secretary Becerra highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in mental health, evidenced by the President’s budget which clearly prioritizes funding programs to address the mental health challenges we are facing. Additionally, HHS recently announced a $2 Million Funding Opportunity to Establish National Center of Excellence on Social Media and Mental Wellness. The purpose of the Center of Excellence will be to develop and disseminate information, guidance, and training on the impact—including benefits and risks—that social media use has on children and youth, especially related to their mental health.
Congressman Cárdenas highlighted his Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act of 2021 (H.R. 1803), which would allow schools and school districts to receive direct support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Additionally, Congressman Cárdenas has previously introduced the Strengthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, which would establish a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance within SAMHSA to provide technical assistance and training on mental health and substance use disorder services in schools.
Both Congressman Cárdenas and Secretary Becerra reiterated their commitment to mental health care and social media safety.
For additional information on how mental health portions of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda align with Congressman Cárdenas's legislative priorities, click here.
For photos of the roundtable, click here.
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