[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my 
colleagues that May is Mental Health Month. I would also like to thank 
those who have dedicated their lives to mental health care.
  Now more than ever, we must commit ourselves to full mental health 
parity. Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from mental health disorders 
and more than 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental health disorder 
in their lifetimes. Many millions suffer from serious, debilitating, 
and life altering mental disorders such as Alzheimer's and 
schizophrenia. Nearly every American has friends and relatives that 
cope with such disorders.
  Mental health professionals not only help people with organic mental 
health disorders, but also help people recovering from traumatic and 
life changing experiences. Over the last few years, Americans have 
experienced the trauma of a major terrorist attack and two wars 
overseas. Tens of thousands of families have experienced firsthand the 
loss or serious injury of a loved one. Tens of thousands of soldiers 
who have sustained serious injuries will need assistance adjusting to a 
life far different than they left. Thousands of American soldiers will 
return home in need of mental health services related to their combat 
experiences.
  I hope that the Committee on Education and the Workforce will 
continue to work to ensure that the mental health needs of the elderly 
are met as we reauthorize the Older Americans Act. The elderly are the 
most vulnerable to mental health disorders and elderly men are the 
demographic most to likely commit suicide. Specifically, I want to 
ensure that senior citizens have access to mental health services in 
their community or in the same place that they receive primary health 
care services. I am pleased that we are beginning to make some headway 
on this important issue.

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