Newly proposed legislation could create national mental health hotline for parents, youths

Newly proposed legislation could lead to the creation of a toll-free national hotline for parents and young people to provide help with mental health, parenting, substance abuse and other challenges.

The legislation, introduced this week by U.S. Rep. Norma Torres, comes as questions loom over the High Desert regarding support for those dealing with mental health crises. Earlier this month, a 15-year-old Apple Valley boy with autism was fatally shot by San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies.

The National Parents and Youth Helpline Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to create a 24-hour hotline for parents and children dealing with issues related to mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, parenting and more, according to a statement issued by Torres' office.

"I am committed to ensuring the government supports the most pressing needs for the most vulnerable among us. Mental health and other support services for families is crucial and it must be available at any hour to prevent crises," said Torres, who represents California's 35th congressional district. "My bill ensures high-quality mental and emotional support services are widely available, especially to those who can't afford to miss a shift at work or pay the traditionally high costs of these services."

Funding would also be used to run weekly mutual and emotional support groups, along with other programs.

The most vulnerable among us

Ryan Gainer was shot by two deputies responding to a 911 call reporting he had struck his sister and broken a window at the family home, according to sheriff's officials and family attorneys.

Body-worn camera footage released by the sheriff's department shows Gainer charging toward a deputy with a garden hoe raised above his head. Seven second later, the deputies opened fire, killing the teen. The family has since filed a legal claim against the county.

Sheriff Shannon Dicus revealed that deputies had responded to the family's home five prior times due to family disturbances. Each of those five encounters resulted nonviolently, with Gainer being taken for mental health care.

"I believe out social network needs to be strengthened," Dicus said at a March 13 conference with reporters.

"There is no reason that law enforcement should be the ones that end up having to get involved in theses crises, specifically when we've off-ramped these individuals to social services that are supposed to be designed to take care of their mental health needs," the sheriff said.

He announced via social media Friday that he attended a meeting with the Sheriff's Information Exchange Committee "to discuss the tragic events on March 9th."

"My ask of them, as it is of the community, is to advocate for a stronger safety support system for families of those with mental health issues," he said.

Creating more avenues of support

Torres' representatives said the National Parents and Youth Helpline Act has been endorsed by organizations including Parents Anonymous, ZERO TO THREE and the Child Welfare League of America.

"Families with young children are dealing with incredible stress. Yet they often have few avenues to reach out to for support until they are in crisis," said Miriam Calderón, ZERO TO THREE chief policy officer. "The National Parent and Youth Helpline Act of 2024 would ensure there is someone parents can call on to provide support and connections."

A statement issues by Parents Anonymous, a parent strenghtening program, also lauded the effort.

"With mental health issues on the rise, immediate emotional support services are desperately needed. More specifically, there is a need for services that are culturally responsive and trauma informed without blame and shame to build on individual strengths and ensure thriving families and communities nationwide," according to the statement.

The proposed bill "will provide essential funding to a resource that can deliver this service and further aid in the current mental health crisis," the group added.

The bill was co-sponsored by six fellow representatives from throughout the nation, including Rep. Judy Chu, D-28.

The full text of the bill can be found online at torres.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/torres.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/TORRCA_074_xml.pdf.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Proposed legislation could create national hotline for parents, youths