HHS releases strategy to support family caregivers, funding to promote Black youth mental health 

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living this week released its first National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, developed by two congressionally mandated advisory councils to foster public-private collaboration to support the millions of Americans who provide assistance to a family member with a health condition or functional limitation. The document highlights nearly 500 actions the public and private sectors can adopt to help family caregivers maintain their own health, well-being and financial security while providing crucial support for others. The agency will accept comments on the strategy for 60 days beginning Oct. 1. 
 
In other news, HHS’ Office of Minority Health this week awarded eight organizations $3 million in grants to identify health and wellness policies that promote mental health and prevent suicide among Black youth.  
 
“Over the past decade, Black children under age 13 years are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their White peers,” said Felicia Collins, M.D., deputy assistant secretary for minority health. “With this new initiative, we intend to identify specific policies that exhibit a meaningful impact on mental health for Black youth and to spread the word about these effective policy efforts.”