Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) garnered much support on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives when he advocated for a new mental health bill on July 6.
As the co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus, Dr. Murphy called the 422-2 outcome in support of the bill a huge win. He introduced the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act to make psychiatric, psychological and supportive services more accessible for individuals with mental illness and the families affected by it.
Dr. Murphy attributed the success of moving the bill forward to his colleagues. He called the win a team effort and the first step in moving toward the right direction.
“As the only practicing mental health professional in elected federal government, there’s a moment you look in the mirror and you say ‘if not me who and if not now when,’” Murphy said, following the successful floor vote.