[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 79 (Monday, May 24, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3709-H3712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to

[[Page H3710]]

the resolution (H. Res. 1258) expressing support for designation of May 
2010 as Mental Health Month, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1258

       Whereas the mental health and well-being of people in the 
     United States is a critical issue that affects not only 
     quality of life, but also the health of communities, 
     families, and economic stability;
       Whereas the stigma associated with mental health continues 
     to persist;
       Whereas more than 57,000,000 people in the United States 
     suffer from mental illness;
       Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents may 
     have a diagnosable mental disorder;
       Whereas more than a quarter of the members of the United 
     States Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological 
     injuries sustained from combat, including major depression 
     and post-traumatic stress disorder;
       Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates 
     suffer from mental illness;
       Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability 
     in the Nation;
       Whereas major mental illness costs businesses and the 
     United States economy over $193,000,000,000 per year in lost 
     earnings;
       Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of 
     absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace;
       Whereas, in 2006, over 33,300 individuals died by suicide 
     in the United States, nearly twice the rate of homicide;
       Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among 
     youth between the ages of 15 and 24;
       Whereas, in 2006, individuals age 65 and older comprised 
     only 12.4 percent of the population but accounted for 15.9 
     percent of all suicides;
       Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously 
     contemplating suicide, a rate higher than any other 
     demographic;
       Whereas Native Americans currently rank as the top 
     ethnicity for suicide rates nationwide;
       Whereas studies report that people with serious mental 
     illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general 
     population; and
       Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2010 as 
     Mental Health Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the designation of Mental Health Month in 
     order to place emphasis on scientific facts and findings 
     regarding mental health and to remove the stigma associated 
     with mental illness;
       (2) recognizes that mental well-being is as important as 
     physical well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, 
     and the economy in the United States;
       (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 finding of the President's Commission on 
     Mental Health that recovery from mental illness is a real 
     possibility and steps can be taken to improve the lives of 
     those living with mental illnesses, which will benefit 
     American families, communities, schools, and workplaces; and
       (5) encourages 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 
     living with mental illness.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Matsui) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Wilson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 
1258. This resolution expresses support for the designation of this 
month, the month of May, as Mental Health Month.
  We all know it, but sometimes we forget that mental health is 
absolutely essential to the overall health of every single person in 
this country. Mental health is an important contributor to the health 
of our communities, our families and even to our economy.
  Mental illness affects 57 million people in the United States, Madam 
Speaker. The people impacted by mental illness are workers, their 
bosses, their employees, their mothers and fathers, sisters and 
brothers and close friends.
  And increasingly, they are children. One in every five children and 
adolescents may have a diagnosable mental disorder.
  Mental illnesses are clinically indicated, and they range from 
bipolar disorder to bulimia and other eating disorders to anxiety-
related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. These illnesses 
affect all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. They can strike at 
any place and at any time.
  However, certain groups in our country appear to be more vulnerable 
to mental illness than others. For example, Latina adolescents have a 
higher suicide rate than any other demographic. And one-quarter of the 
members of our Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological 
injuries sustained during combat. This is a problem that we cannot and 
we must not ignore.
  Madam Speaker, we know that mental illness is becoming more and more 
common in the United States and around the world. We know that mental 
illnesses have biological causes, and we know that the vast majority of 
mental illnesses can be treated. And yet people with mental illness 
continue to live under a stigma that surrounds those who fight diseases 
of the mind.
  Today's resolution gives this House a valuable opportunity to help 
our constituents understand the biological basis for many mental 
disorders. It salutes the important work of national and community 
organizations who promote public awareness of mental illness and who 
help fight the unfair stigma associated with mental disease.
  House Resolution 1258 also encourages health providers and 
organizations to promote mental well-being and to ensure that people 
with mental illness have access to the services that can literally save 
their lives.
  This and previous Congresses have taken important and necessary steps 
to improve access to mental health services. Personally, I look forward 
to working with my colleagues to increase access to community-based 
mental health services.
  In my hometown of Sacramento, the community-based mental health 
system is crumbling under the weight of severe budget cuts and ever-
increasing demand for services.
  We here in Washington cannot sit idly by as vital community services 
are slashed. Those whose very lives depend on a trained and 
understanding mental health provider are counting on us, and this 
resolution honors those who have dedicated their lives to treating 
others with mental illness.
  I want to commend Representative Napolitano, the sponsor of this 
resolution and co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, for 
her leadership on this important health issue.
  I would also like to commend my Energy and Commerce Committee 
colleague, Representative Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, for working so 
closely with Mrs. Napolitano on the Mental Health Caucus.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of 
House Resolution 1258, acknowledging the month of May as National 
Mental Health Month because it has helped raise awareness in our 
communities, which has contributed to removing the stigma associated 
with mental illness.
  I would like to express my thanks to the organizations working to 
promote awareness of mental health and to educate families affected by 
mental illness. As a former president myself of the Mid Carolina Mental 
Health Association, I know firsthand of its success and significance.
  I also appreciate my oldest son, Alan Wilson, has served on the 
Mental Health Association State Board. Your work is critical to 
increasing the quality of life for those with mental illness.
  I am grateful to also work with Hidden Wounds, founded by Ann Bigham, 
a volunteer organization in Columbia, South Carolina, which provides 
services for our military and veterans who are successfully defeating 
terrorism overseas.
  I would 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.

[[Page H3711]]

  I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), the sponsor of this 
resolution.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank both the 
congresswoman from California (Ms. Matsui) and the congressman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) for talking about H. Res. 1258, recognizing 
May as Mental Health Month.
  As you've heard, there are many instances where we ignore this fact, 
and we are currently trying to erase the stigma. That's the biggest 
issue that we have in the United States.
  Today we must continue to shed light on those who suffer in silence 
with mental illness. It knows no boundaries. As you've heard, it goes 
into any race, any gender, any class, any religion, any political 
party, everywhere. It does not discriminate.
  Every day our children, our soldiers, our veterans, our family 
members, our coworkers and friends carry their wounds and pain on the 
inside. It is an invisible illness that often goes unseen and 
unmentioned, even as it leaves a trail of devastation in its wake.
  Recent reports show that military suicide has claimed more lives of 
our servicemen and -women than the Afghan war, and that approximately 
one in five servicemembers suffer from major depression or post-
traumatic syndrome. It is now recognized by military leaders that there 
is a great big issue, and they're trying to provide services to those 
men and women so that they can return to semi-normal life when they 
return to their respective residences.
  Also, findings by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, NAMI, show 
that most mental illnesses are highly treatable, yet only one in three 
individuals suffering from mental illness seek or receive treatment. We 
must protect our soldiers' and their families' right to effective 
mental health services. They have earned it protecting our freedom.
  Today, suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-
24. Again, third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24. With each 
young life lost to suicide, we lose some of our Nation's future. We 
must continue to de-stigmatize mental illness so that all individuals, 
including our youth, know that it is okay, it's not shameful to ask for 
help and receive the treatment needed, because no child should ever 
feel this world would be a better place without them.
  The mental health and well-being of all Americans are critical issues 
that affect not only the quality of life and health of our communities, 
but as importantly, our national economic stability.
  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, serious 
illnesses cost Americans at least $193 billion, with a ``b,'' billion a 
year in lost earnings alone, never mind what businesses lose in over 
$500 billion a year.

                              {time}  1415

  Mental illness is also the leading cause of absenteeism and lost 
productivity in the workplace. We need to learn how to prevent suicide. 
We must take those classes, and we must learn what those signs are so 
that we can begin to at least address those issues with our own, if not 
those near us.
  I respectfully encourage all my colleagues to support this resolution 
and thereby recognize May as Mental Health Month. Knowledge and 
prevention are key to continue eradicating the myths and stigma behind 
mental illness. If allowed to go ignored and untreated, this will only 
pass on to our future generations. We must unite on this critical issue 
and recognize the scientific facts and findings of mental illness to 
ensure access to professional help, including early detection and 
intervention.
  In closing, I leave you with words from two young women from my 
district whose lives have been saved by a suicide prevention program we 
started in 2001. From Patty, 15 years old: ``Thank God we have this 
program, because if I didn't have this treatment, I would be dead at 
this time.'' From Ofelia, 17 years old: ``After my mom and dad died in 
an accident, I wanted to die. This program and my therapist helped me 
to go off my depression and two suicide attempts.'' These are just more 
reminders of who we must represent and who we must continue to try to 
help and why we were elected to serve everybody.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as we are recognizing 
Mental Health Month, I would also like to commend the National Alliance 
for Mentally Ill, NAMI. I was honored earlier this month to participate 
in the Mental Health Walk at the Riverwalk in West Columbia in the 
Midlands of south Carolina. The walk itself was organized by Buddy 
Wier. It was amazing to see hundreds of persons participate. There was 
competition between different businesses and the businesses 
participating. It was just really heartwarming to see such an 
outpouring of community support.
  I look forward in October. The Mental Health Walk by NAMI will be on 
the beaches at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and I look forward 
to participating at that time, again raising awareness of mental health 
issues and how communities and civic organizations and individuals can 
help persons who have mental health issues.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, 
Representative Napolitano, Representative Murphy, for their work on 
this resolution and mental health issues in general. And I would like 
to thank my colleague from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
  This resolution represents one small step toward a future where the 
serious burden of mental illness is but a thing of the past. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for 
designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month. Designating May 2010 as 
Mental Health Month in America is a much needed step to help bring 
attention to the various challenges that the mentally ill face on a day 
to day basis which include not having access to appropriate medical 
care, affordable housing, job opportunities, and over-all economic 
security.
  More than 57,000,000 people in the United States suffer from mental 
illness. Approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents has a 
diagnosable mental disorder. A quarter of the members of the United 
States Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological injuries 
sustained from combat, including major depression and post-traumatic 
stress disorder. Tragically, more than half of all prison and jail 
inmates suffer from mental illness. It is also the leading cause of 
disability in the America. In 2005, over 32,000 individuals died by 
suicide in the United States, nearly twice the rate of homicide. 
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between the 
ages of 15 and 24. In 2004, individuals age 65 and older comprised only 
12.4 percent of the population, but accounted for 16.6 percent of all 
suicides.
  Sadly, there are too many Americans with serious mental illness who 
do not have access to high quality and long-term mental health 
treatment, and fall through the cracks of our fragmented and 
underfunded mental health system. This is because the U.S. does not yet 
have a comprehensive and effective federal mental health system that 
can provide a single standard of high quality mental health treatment 
for all of our Nation's mentally ill--regardless of one's income or 
employment status.
  The uninsured, underinsured, or Americans with low-incomes often 
receive their mental health services in emergency rooms, or in 
hospitals where they are ``stabilized,'' and then released with little 
or no follow-up care, medication, or housing services. This creates a 
``revolving door'' cycle of hospitalizations, homelessness, 
unemployment, arrests, and incarceration that is the result of having 
an underfunded mental health system where mental health professionals 
do not have the optimal resources they need to provide medically 
appropriate care for the mentally ill and their families.
  Many of our Nation's mentally ill become homeless, or are forced to 
live with family members or friends, because they can not afford 
housing due to skimpy Social Security Disability Checks, or the 
inability to maintain employment. Clearly, America must have a robust 
Federal affordable housing and employment program for the mentally ill, 
so those with mental illnesses have access to affordable housing, a 
job, and the respect and dignity that goes with being self-sufficient 
and productive.
  Tragically, there are many uninsured or underinsured mentally ill 
Americans who can not afford to take medications for such debilitating 
illnesses as bipolar manic depression. This creates untold stress on 
families and friends who must deal with the unpredictable

[[Page H3712]]

and often inappropriate behaviors of the mentally ill who can become a 
danger to themselves or others if they do not take their medication on 
a regular basis.
  I also urge my colleagues to support H.R. 676, ``The United States 
National Health Care Act,'' which would create a universal health care 
system where all mental health services would be fully covered, and 
there would be optimal funding for mental health facilities so the 
mentally ill could receive the long term and appropriate care needed to 
get well, and have a better quality of life.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in 
support of H. Res. 1258, in expressing support for designation of May 
2010 as Mental Health Month.
  The time has come to pay special recognition to the needs and 
shortfalls that are associated with mental health in the United States. 
Mental health and the well-being of people of the United States is a 
critical issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the 
health of communities, families, and economic stability. Often it is 
the youngest among us, our children, which suffer from the lingering 
stigma of mental illness. Words, that make fun of those diagnosed with 
mental health can sometimes create a sense of shame, feelings of guilt, 
and loss of self esteem.
  Statistically, the figures associated with mental health are quite 
staggering. It is estimated that more than 57 million people in the 
United States suffer from mental illness. Furthermore, 1 in 5 children 
and adolescents have a diagnosable mental order. And in 2005 alone, 
over 32,000 individuals died by suicide in the United States, nearly 
twice the rate of homicide. The goals of Mental Health Month are to 
bring these figures to light in order to draw more attention and 
support for addressing this health crisis.
  From my time as a psychiatric nurse in the Dallas Veteran Affair's 
Hospital, I know firsthand the burden placed upon those who serve in 
our armed forces suffering from mental illness. More than a quarter of 
the members of the United States Armed Forces suffer from psychological 
or neurological injuries sustained from combat, including major 
depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. For far too long the 
disparities of taking care of our veterans in regards to mental health 
went unaddressed, and too many suffered because of it.
  In closing, 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 living with mental illness.
  Ms. MATSUI. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, 
H. Res. 1258, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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