117 HRES 811 IH: Expressing support for the designation of November 18, 2021, as “National Rural Mental Health Day”. U.S. House of Representatives 2021-11-18 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 811IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 18, 2021Mr. Emmer submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedRESOLUTIONExpressing support for the designation of November 18, 2021, as National Rural Mental Health Day.

Whereas the National Institute of Mental Health reported in 2019 that mental health disorders affected more than 50,000,000 Americans, with more than 13,000,000 facing a serious mental health disorder;Whereas, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, serious mental illness results in nearly $200,000,000,000 in lost earnings each year;Whereas mental health disorders, if untreated, can result in—(1)substance abuse or substance use disorder; (2)unemployment; (3)homelessness; (4)suicide; (5)incarceration; or (6)long-term physical health deterioration;Whereas, according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, mental health disorders are prevalent in rural America, affecting nearly 7,000,000 individuals in nonmetropolitan areas;Whereas the National Center for Health Statistics reported the 2017 suicide rate for the most rural counties was 1.8 times higher than the suicide rate for the most urban counties;Whereas there is a chronic shortage of mental health professionals in rural areas;Whereas rural residents often travel long distances to receive services and are frequently seen by providers who are less likely to recognize a mental illness;Whereas rural residents suffering from mental illness may be more susceptible to negative public attitudes in small communities;Whereas data from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation of the Department of Health and Human Services show that uninsured rates in rural areas have been 2 to 3 percentage points higher than in urban areas over the 2010 to 2019 period; andWhereas, to improve mental health services and delivery in rural America, the United States must first raise greater public awareness of the current challenges: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—(1)supports the designation of National Rural Mental Health Day;(2)commits to addressing disparities in mental health care across the country, including in rural America; and(3)maintains continued support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and other programs that aid struggling individuals in United States rural communities.