As mental health counselors, we know that language barriers can limit access to behavioral health services. H.R. 3189/S.1784, the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023, aims to address this by increasing language access in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). 

This bill would provide grants to FQHCs to recruit and retain behavioral health professionals who are fluent in languages other than English. Priority will be given to FQHCs where at least 10% of the patients are best served in a language other than English.   

Please contact your member of Congress and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 3189/S.1784, the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023. Expanding access to mental health services for non-English speaking communities is critical to meeting the needs of underserved populations.