[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK 2011

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mental Illness 
Awareness Week. Every year the American Psychiatric Association, the 
National Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Mental Health 
Association designate one week in October to put the spotlight on 
mental illness and the associated policy issues. This year we recognize 
this important time on October 2nd through 8th.
  Mental illness doesn't discriminate. One in five Americans bear 
mental illness, ranging from mild depression to severe disorders such 
as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. One in five children endures a 
diagnosable disorder and one in ten children suffer from a serious 
disorder which, if unaddressed, can lead to poor school performance, 
social anxiety and seclusion and even violence against themselves and 
other people. Unfortunately, less than one-third of adults and less 
than half of children receive treatment for diagnosed serious 
disorders, leading to an average lifespan 25 years less than the 
general population.
  Organizations like the American Psychiatric Association, the National 
Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Mental Health Association 
and their field partners work with municipal and state governments to 
make sure those who need care have access to it. In my district and 
around the country, local governments such as the Pima County Board of 
Supervisors are working diligently to ensure high-quality, cost-
efficient community mental healthcare is available.
  However, there is still much work to be done. When there is a lack of 
mental healthcare in a community, we see more lost jobs, more people 
out on the streets and more broken families. Often these communities 
see more emergency room visits, larger prison populations and higher 
social services costs all around. We must stay diligent in addressing 
mental illness and always stay focused on the individual.
  Again, I want to recognize these organizations for their important 
work, and I urge those who need help to ask for it.

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