[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 811 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 811

    Expressing support for the designation of November 18, 2021, as 
                 ``National Rural Mental Health Day''.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 18, 2021

Mr. 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 concerned

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                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing 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; and
Whereas, 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
    Resolved, 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.
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