Throughout the pandemic, mental health has worsened. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, nearly 1 billion individuals live with a mental disorder, and in low-income countries, over 75% of people with a disorder do not receive treatment.
Given this global issue, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr. sponsored the MINDS Act, the first-ever piece of U.S. legislation that addresses mental health in foreign assistance. In particular, this legislation would emphasize the needs of specific at-risk populations such as children and would prioritize children living in poverty or conflict zones.
Legislation such as the MINDS Act is an imperative step in the lives of citizens in developing nations. As an ambassador for the Borgen Project, I am contacting my congressional leaders to support this act. I hope you will too.
Abby Rickin-Marks
O’Hara
The writer is an intern with the Borgen Project, an organization that works to end global poverty.