Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently appeared on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper to emphasize her commitment to addressing the escalating youth mental health crisis in the United States. During the interview, Senator Britt discussed her bipartisan efforts, underscoring that the issue transcends political lines.
“[Mental health] is not a Democrat issue. This is not a Republican issue. This is an American issue. We have an obligation to tackle it as such,” Senator Britt said.
The conversation included details of her impactful meeting with Gina and Steve Meyer, parents of the late Katie Meyer. Katie was a standout student-athlete at Stanford University, serving as a national champion soccer player and team captain. She died by suicide in 2022, an event that has fueled her parents’ mission to prevent similar tragedies.
“My meeting with Gina and Steve was no doubt one of the most impactful meetings I’ve had as a U.S. Senator,” Senator Britt shared. “I got a phone call from [Senator] John Fetterman who said, ‘Hey, Katie, I want you to take this meeting and let’s make it happen today.’ They came into my office and began to tell me their story.”
Senator Britt, who also spoke as a parent, expressed admiration for the Meyers’ resilience. “What Gina and Steve are doing is just incredible: the resiliency and determination that they are showing in the face of the unthinkable… They’re working to protect young men and women across the country,” she said.
Britt highlighted the universality of the mental health crisis and urged people to support those around them. She emphasized, “Check on your strong friends, too,” pointing out that Katie Meyer’s parents had noted she had no prior mental health issues, underscoring the need to reduce stigma and promote open conversations about mental health.
In her ongoing legislative work, Senator Britt cited the alarming statistics from CDC reports revealing that one in three high school girls considered suicide last year and 9% of high school students had attempted suicide. “The time for action is now,” Britt declared.
Senator Britt and Senator Fetterman have co-sponsored the Stop the Scroll Act, which proposes a mental health warning label on social media platforms. The bill seeks to inform users of potential mental health risks and provide access to resources. “We want to make sure that there is a link to help included on that warning,” Britt said, suggesting a connection to the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.
This legislative effort aligns with similar measures. In May, Britt collaborated with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) to introduce the Kids Off Social Media Act. She is also a cosponsor of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), spearheaded by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), which passed the Senate earlier this year.
Additionally, Britt partnered with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to introduce the Youth Mental Health Research Act, which aims to establish a national research initiative for youth mental health. This initiative would guide preventive efforts, improve treatment approaches, and target at-risk groups more effectively.
Senator Britt’s advocacy underscores her commitment to prioritizing the mental health of young Americans and creating bipartisan pathways to solutions.
