[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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