[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4625-S4626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BROWN:
  S.J. Res. 33. A joint resolution recognizing the efforts of the Ohio 
Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug 
Addiction Services to address the stigma associated with mental health 
and substance use disorders; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.

[[Page S4626]]

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, May is National Mental Health Month. This 
proud tradition was started over 50 years ago. Each May, the mental 
health community comes together to raise awareness about mental health 
disorders and to celebrate recovery. The last 50 years have seen 
significant progress in the treatment of mental disorders.
  We know that with treatment and support, it is possible to recover.
  Dr. Fred Frese knows this first hand. I met Dr. Frese at a roundtable 
that I held in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Frese served as Director of 
Psychology at Western Reserve Psychiatric Hospital for 15 years. He is 
currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry 
at Case Western Reserve University and Northeastern Ohio Universities 
College of Medicine. He has authored and reviewed numerous articles and 
chapters, lectured in several countries and served on the boards of 
trustees of various organizations that work on behalf of individuals 
with disabilities.
  In 1999, Dr. Frese received the Hildreth Award, the highest honor 
given by the American Psychological Association's Psychologists in 
Public Service Division. Over the course of his career, he has 
testified numerous times before both houses of the United States 
Congress. Dr. Frese's career has been remarkable. His life has been 
remarkable.
  He has been living with paranoid schizophrenia since 1966. Dr. Frese 
is remarkable. But his recovery is not unusual.
  Many people stricken with mental illness can and do recover with 
appropriate treatment. But the stigma associated with mental health 
disorders can discourage people from getting the help they need. The 
U.S. Surgeon General's seminal report on mental health cites stigma as 
a significant barrier to recovery.
  I am proud to say that Ohio's Departments of Mental Health and 
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services are doing something about it. They 
have launched a ``Think Outside the Stigma'' campaign, a public 
information effort to increase awareness about the misperceptions 
associated with mental health and substance use disorders.
  Today I am introducing a resolution commending this campaign.
  My colleague in the house, Congressman Zack Space, is offering a 
companion resolution.
  Imagine a world where individuals with mental disorders are supported 
and treated, not marginalized and discriminated against. Imagine a 
world where we see individuals first and disability second. Imagine the 
wealth of talent and resources that individuals with mental illness can 
realize with treatment. Individuals like Dr. Frese.
  We must work together to overcome the unfair and unnecessary burden 
of stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorders. 
We know that treatment can work. We know that people can recover. We 
know that Americans are well worth the investment.
  We know that Americans are well worth the investment.

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