How Tammy Baldwin Champions Mental Health in the Senate

As a result of how the pandemic impacted mental health, more people are aware of and accepting of their own mental health struggles. Yet despite continued mental health awareness, mental health conditions are stigmatized which hinders people's attempts to seek help.

Suicide is a serious public health issue and can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, or sexuality.

Just in 2021 alone, approximately 12 million people seriously considered suicide, and 3.5 million people made a plan. Ultimately, 48,000 people died by suicide in 2021—which equates to 1 suicide every 11 minutes.

Considering the impact of suicide on families, communities, and the U.S. at large, all efforts to reduce stigma and prevent suicide should be recognized. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) was a major driving force behind the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline rollout in 2022. For all her efforts in spreading mental health awareness and implementing practical solutions to the mental health crisis, Verywell Mind is honored to name Senator Tammy Baldwin as one of its Verywell Mind 25 recipients of 2023.

Senator Baldwin is one of our top 25 thought leaders, experts, and advocates making a difference in mental health

See 2023 Honorees

Senator Tammy Baldwin—A Mental Health Advocate

Senator Tammy Baldwin has been a champion of mental health and suicide prevention. In 2019, she
introduced the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act.

How the 988 Hotline Provides Help to Those in Crisis

Since the law's passing, people of all ages across the nation can connect with crisis counselors and get help for themselves or someone else in crisis by dialing the code.

The Lifeline provides around-the-clock access to crisis call centers that provide counselors to talk to via phone, texting, or chatting.

The counselors can also give recommendations for crisis stabilization programs where people can go for in-person help. 

Shifting From Ten Digits to Three

Before 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line were 10 digits. By giving people a three-digit number rather than a 10-digit number to remember, it gives those in need a much easier way to get help when they need it.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the 988 number is to mental health as what 911 is to other emergencies.

Senator Baldwin's Goals for the 988 Rollout

For Senator Baldwin, the APA perfectly sums up the code’s intention. 

“In America, we lose about 45,000 people every year to suicide, including more than 6,100 veterans, making it one of the leading causes of death in this country,” Senator Baldwin said in a press release. “We need to do everything we can to prevent suicide and that means improving the tools we have to help people who are suffering from depression or other mental health concerns.” 

Supporting Marginalized Communities

The 988 number also aims to include support for those in marginalized communities. For instance, in
September 2022, it teamed up with The Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth, as part of a pilot program that connects LGBTQIA+ children and teens to counselors who are trained in issues their communities face. 

988 Makes a Mark

During the first five months that 988 was in place, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline received over 1.7 million calls, texts, and chats, which is almost half a million more than what was received during the same time period the year prior via the 10-digit number.

“After working to get my bipartisan legislation signed into law and ensure funding for the implementation, I am so proud to see this quick and easy three-digit phone number launch so Americans in crisis can get the timely help and support they need. This will save lives,” Senator Baldwin stated in a press release.

Senator Baldwin Received Millions in Funding for the 988 Rollout

Although Congress signed legislation into law to establish 988, it’s up to each state to implement, develop, and maintain what is needed to provide help to people in crisis.

Senator Baldwin's Fight Against the Fentanyl and Opioid Epidemic

In 2023, Baldwin expanded her efforts in mental health by voting for funds and resources to address the mental health crisis and substance use epidemic.

Senator Baldwin's Family Was Affected By Substance Use

Having a personal connection to the cause made her efforts all the more sincere. Her mother struggled with mental illness, chronic pain, and substance use. As a result, Senator Baldwin was raised by her grandparents. 

To help others with similar challenges to her mother, Senator Baldwin made it her mission to help others impacted by the fentanyl and opioid epidemic.

In fact, the 2023 fiscal year appropriations bill that President Biden signed into law included provisions from Baldwin’s bills, which would:

• Up local communities’ access to life-saving overdose reversal drugs through grants that provide funding for states and Tribal entities to promote education, dispensing, and distribution of opioid overdose reversal drugs, including $1.6 billion for states and Tribes
• Increase resources for Wisconsin to fight the opioid and substance use disorder epidemic
• Support for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Authorize the Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders to provide training and technical
  assistance to healthcare workers, teachers, and parents on how to identify eating disorders and support people in recovery 

“[This] legislation delivers the needed resources to support youth who are experiencing mental health issues, strengthen our widely used three-digit suicide lifeline, and help Wisconsinites get the care they need,” Senator Baldwin said in a press release.

Senator Baldwin Touches Other Areas of Mental Health

If that isn’t enough, Senator Baldwin also championed securing funding for other areas of mental health, including:

• $111 million for Department of Education programs with the purpose of increasing mental
  health services in schools through training programs that train school counselors,
  social workers, and psychologists
• $140 million for Project AWARE to help identify children and youth in need of mental health care, including those who require trauma-focused care
• $1.01 billion for the Mental Health Block Grant, which makes funds available to all 50 states to provide community mental health services
• $385 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which care for anyone despite their diagnosis or insurance status
• $20 million to expand a pilot program for crisis response 
• $130 million for children’s mental health services