[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H3710-H3712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 1134) supporting the goals and ideals of 
Mental Health Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1134

       Whereas the mental health and well-being of Americans is a 
     critical issue that affects not only the quality of life, but 
     also the health of our communities and our economic 
     stability;
       Whereas the stigma associated with mental health persists;
       Whereas more than 57,000,000 Americans suffer from a mental 
     illness;
       Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable 
     mental disorder;
       Whereas more than 1 in 5 of our troops suffer from major 
     depression or post traumatic stress disorder;
       Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates 
     suffer from mental illness;
       Whereas mental illness is the most common disability in our 
     Nation;
       Whereas untreated mental illness costs businesses and the 
     American economy over $150,000,000,000 annually;
       Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of 
     absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace;
       Whereas in 2004, over 32,000 individuals committed suicide 
     in the United States, at twice the rate of homicides;
       Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among 
     people between the ages of 10 and 24;
       Whereas in 2004, individuals aged 65 and older made up only 
     12.4 percent of the population, but accounted for 16 percent 
     of all suicides, and the rate of suicide among older 
     Americans is higher than for any other age group;
       Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously 
     contemplating suicide, a rate higher than any other 
     demographic;
       Whereas studies report that persons with serious mental 
     illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general 
     population; and
       Whereas it would be appropriate to designate May 2008 as 
     Mental Health Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in 
     order to emphasize scientific facts and findings regarding 
     mental health and to remove the stigma associated therewith;
       (2) recognizes that mental well-being is equally as 
     important as physical well-being for our citizens, our 
     communities, our businesses, our economy, and our Nation;
       (3) applauds the coalescing of national and community 
     organizations in working to promote public awareness of 
     mental health, and providing critical information and support 
     to the people and families affected by mental illness;
       (4) supports the findings of the President's Commission on 
     Mental Health that the Nation's failure to prioritize mental 
     health is a national tragedy; and
       (5) encourages all organizations and health practitioners 
     to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote 
     mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate 
     services, and support overall quality of life for those with 
     mental illness.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Napolitano) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on this resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, for far too long the topic of mental health has been 
pushed aside and swept under the rug. You don't see it, you don't talk 
about it, and you don't hear about it. It connotes people are crazy.
  However, we cannot continue to ignore that mental illness does not 
discriminate. It touches all regardless of race, of gender, of class or 
of religion. It is time we address this issue at the forefront honestly 
and openly. Too many of our family members of our friends, our 
coworkers and especially our veterans and soldiers have had to suffer 
with mental illnesses in silence.
  According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 57 million Americans suffer 
from some form of mental illness. Despite findings that most mental 
illnesses are highly treatable, only one in three individuals suffering 
from these illnesses seek and or receive any treatment.
  This low treatment can be attributed to the strong stigma associated 
with mental health issue that is still pervade and persist. Twenty 
percent of our United States population suffers from a diagnosable, 
treatable mental disorder, making the mental illness the leading cause 
of disability in our Nation, affecting our businesses and our economy.
  The mental health and well-being of Americans are critical issues 
that affect not only the health of our communities, the quality of 
life, and, as importantly, our economic stability. A new report by the 
National Institute of Mental Health found that serious mental illnesses 
cost Americans at least $193 billion a year in lost earnings alone.
  Our action is far overdue. We have had tests, screening for breast 
cancer, for heart attacks, for strokes and a myriad of other diseases 
and conditions. We have not yet woken up to the fact that the brain 
functions are vital to our body's health and survival.
  It is critical that we will destigmatize mental illness so that our 
children, our families, our veterans receive the necessary help they 
need to lead productive lives with support from their families and 
their communities.
  I respectfully encourage all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution to recognize May as Mental Health Month. We must all come 
together on this critical issue. It is vital that we recognize the 
scientific facts and real findings regarding mental health and work to 
remove the stigma associated therewith.
  By increasing awareness of mental health issues we can insure that 
individuals have access to services including early detection and early 
prevention, and, most of all, to assure parity in our medical delivery 
systems.
  This will allow us to improve the lives of those suffering from 
mental illness and their loved ones while reversing the negative impact 
that mental illness has had on our economy, on our families, and on our 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1134, 
acknowledging the month of May as National Mental Health Month. Mental 
Health Month has been recognized by Congress for over 50 years and has 
continued to raise awareness in our communities and to lower the stigma 
associated with mental disorders.
  I would like to express my gratitude to the national and community 
organizations working to promote public awareness of mental health, 
providing the proper information for families affected by mental 
illness. Your work is critical to increasing the quality of life for 
those with mental illnesses.
  I would also like to thank the author of the resolution, 
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California, for her leadership in 
helping Americans' well-being and addressing mental disorders.
  I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
resolution.
  With that, I would ask if Congressman Mike Castle of the great State 
of Delaware could be the minority floor manager for the balance of this 
bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?

[[Page H3711]]

  There was no objection.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentlewoman from 
California for yielding time, but I also want to commend her for the 
tremendous leadership that she continues to provide on this critical 
issue of mental health, mental illness. I am pleased to join with her 
in support of H. Res. 1134, recognizing and acknowledging Mental Health 
Awareness Month during the month of May.
  I agree with Representative Napolitano that mental health is one of 
the major health issues facing our society, and yet it does not get the 
kind of attention that it needs and deserves.
  When we think of all of the individuals who will suffer from 
substance abuse, all of the individuals who find themselves perplexed 
and not quite knowing how to navigate the society in which we live, and 
when we consider the fact that we have not reached the point of 
providing parity consideration nor parity treatment for mental illness, 
it's appropriate that we recognize May as Mental Health Awareness 
Month.
  Again, I congratulate the gentlewoman from California for her 
leadership.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I also rise in strong support of the legislation. I think mental 
health is something that needs awareness in this country. What this 
resolution does in dedicating the month to it is very significant, and 
I would encourage support of all Members here.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I really am grateful to my colleagues 
on the other side for their support. This has been a bipartisan effort, 
both with Representative Murphy, myself, and members of the Mental 
Health Caucus.
  It has been quite important to us to continue working in airing the 
issue for this Nation's ability to be able to understand that we need 
to have more focus on how mental health affects our daily lives, our 
children in school, our seniors, mental health depression, our 
veterans, our soldiers in war after several deployments, all of those 
are parts of the whole that we need to understand in how it affects our 
lives.
  The Army recently issued a memorandum to train the chain of command 
on mental health issues. They are encouraging their servicemembers to 
talk to their commanders on these issues openly and without fear of 
retribution in certain areas where they have already been deployed.
  Parity was passed in February in the House, and it is a good first 
step and must be signed into law and it will help not only families but 
business as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time my 
colleagues have put into this. It is an issue that is very pervasive 
and we need to encourage more effort into it, not only in funding for 
research, but also in assistance to be able to render services so that 
individuals who suffer from these illnesses can continue good, 
productive lives.
  I reserve the balance of my time, and I have no other speakers, Mr. 
Speaker.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe we have any other speakers 
at this time, so I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I have just one more word of thanks to 
my colleagues on both sides and I ask for continued support of this 
bill by a ``yes'' vote.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 1134, supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health 
Month. I would first like to thank my distinguished colleague, 
Representative Grace Napolitano of California, for introducing this 
important legislation. This legislation designates the month of May to 
raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of 
mental wellness for all. The mental health and well-being of Americans 
is a critical issue that affects not only the quality of life, but also 
the health of our communities and our economic stability.
  Since the turn of this century, thanks in large measure to research-
based public health innovations, the lifespan of the average American 
has nearly doubled. Today, our Nation's physical health has never been 
better. Moreover, illnesses of the body once shrouded in fear--such as 
cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS to name a few--increasingly are seen as 
treatable, survivable, even curable ailments. Yet, despite 
unprecedented knowledge gained in just the past three decades about the 
brain and human behavior, mental health is often an afterthought and 
illnesses of the mind remain shrouded in fear and misunderstanding.
  Much remains to be learned about the causes, treatment, and 
prevention of mental and behavioral disorders. Obstacles that may limit 
the availability or accessibility of mental health services for some 
Americans are being dismantled, but disparities persist. Still, thanks 
to research and the experiences of millions of individuals who have a 
mental disorder, their family members, and other advocates, the Nation 
has the power today to tear down the most formidable obstacle to future 
progress in the arena of mental illness and health. That obstacle is 
stigma. Stigmatization of mental illness is an excuse for inaction and 
discrimination that is inexcusably outmoded in 1999.
  The burden of mental illness on health and productivity in the United 
States and throughout the world has long been profoundly 
underestimated. Data developed by the massive Global Burden of Disease 
study, conducted by the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and 
Harvard University, reveal that mental illness, including suicide, 
ranks second in the burden of disease in established market economies, 
such as the United States. Mental illness emerged from the Global 
Burden of Disease study as a surprisingly significant contributor to 
the burden of disease.
  Mental illness is the term that refers collectively to all 
diagnosable mental disorders. Mental disorders are health conditions 
that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior--
or some combination thereof--associated with distress and/or impaired 
functioning. Alzheimer's disease exemplifies a mental disorder largely 
marked by alterations in thinking, especially forgetting. Depression 
exemplifies a mental disorder largely marked by alterations in mood. 
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder exemplifies a mental disorder 
largely marked by alterations in behavior, over activity, and/or 
thinking, inability to concentrate. Alterations in thinking, mood, or 
behavior contribute to a host of problems--patient distress, impaired 
functioning, or heightened risk of death, pain, disability, or loss of 
freedom.

  Suicide is a major, preventable public health problem. In 2004, it 
was the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 
32,439 deaths. The overall rate was 10.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 
people. An estimated eight to 25 attempted suicides occur per every 
suicide death. Suicidal behavior is complex. Some risk factors vary 
with age, gender, or ethnic group and may occur in combination or 
change over time. Older Americans are disproportionately likely to die 
by suicide. Of every 100,000 people ages 65 and older, 14.3 died by 
suicide in 2004. This figure is higher than the national average of 
10.9 suicides per 100,000 people in the general population. Non-
Hispanic white men age 85 or older had an even higher rate, with 17.8 
suicide deaths per 100,000.
  Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are very high among 
veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, leading to suicide rates 
even higher than combat deaths. Since October 2001 in Iraq and 
Afghanistan wars fought about 1.6 million U.S. soldiers, about 4500 of 
them died, according to Defense Department. The Rand study has found 
that 20 percent of returning U.S. soldiers suffer from post-traumatic 
stress disorder or depression, but only half of them get treatment. 
Comparing these figures it becomes clear that troops suffer from post-
traumatic stress disorder complications more than from actual war. 
Soldiers with combat traumas are more likely to suffer from post-
traumatic stress disorder. Of these troops 53 percent have received 
mental care during the last few years, but Rand report says that half 
of them did not receive adequate care. This is one of leading causes 
leading to depression development in veterans. There are currently 
300,000 soldiers suffering from mental illnesses and they need new 
innovative treatment for depression or PTSD treatment.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in 
order to emphasize scientific facts and findings regarding mental 
health and to remove the stigma associated. I recognize that mental 
well-being is equally as important as physical well-being for our 
citizens, our communities, our businesses, our economy, and our Nation. 
I encourage all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental 
Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and 
awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall 
quality of life for those with mental illness.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs.

[[Page H3712]]

Napolitano) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution, H. Res. 1134.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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