[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 148 (Thursday, October 8, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S7278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 284--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH 
GLOBALLY AND HIGHLIGHTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND VALUE OF MENTAL HEALTH, 
 PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, AND HUMAN CAPACITY, PARTICULARLY IN DEVELOPMENT 
                   CONTEXTS AND HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS

  Mr. MURPHY (for himself and Mr. Cassidy) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 284

       Whereas on October 10, 2015, World Mental Health Day is 
     observed;
       Whereas mental health is essential to achieve the full 
     potential of an individual and mental health disorders can 
     affect the ability of an individual to carry out daily tasks, 
     establish or maintain relationships, or pursue other 
     fundamental endeavors;
       Whereas mental health disorders and substance use disorders 
     are the leading causes of disability globally;
       Whereas depression is the third leading cause of disease 
     burden globally, and by 2030, depression will be the highest 
     cause of disease burden in low-income countries and the 
     second highest cause of disease burden in middle-income 
     countries;
       Whereas depression has a particularly negative impact on 
     women, for whom depression is the leading cause of disease 
     burden independent of the income level of their countries of 
     residence;
       Whereas approximately 3,000 suicide deaths occur each day 
     globally;
       Whereas for each completed suicide, 20 more individuals 
     attempt to commit suicide;
       Whereas up to 90 percent of individuals who commit suicide 
     have a diagnosable mental health disorder;
       Whereas serious and persistent mental illness, such as 
     schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, affects up to 7 percent 
     of the population of the world and is extremely debilitating;
       Whereas the global cost of mental health disorders was 
     $2,500,000,000,000 in 2010, and is projected to increase to 
     more than $6,000,000,000,000 by 2030, but the total amount of 
     development assistance for global mental health was only 
     $134,000,000 between 2007 and 2013, less than 1 percent of 
     all development assistance;
       Whereas in high-income countries, approximately \1/2\ of 
     individuals afflicted with mental health disorders do not 
     receive appropriate mental health care;
       Whereas in low-income countries, approximately 85 percent 
     to 90 percent of individuals afflicted with mental health 
     disorders do not receive appropriate mental health care;
       Whereas traumatic events and losses are common experiences, 
     especially among refugees and internally displaced 
     individuals, and may--
       (1) double the incidence of mental health disorders;
       (2) result in intense suffering and dysfunction; and
       (3) require mental health treatment;
       Whereas integrating mental health and psychosocial support 
     into health and social sectors improves the health, economic 
     development, and political stability of the population, 
     builds the capacity of staff and health facilities, and 
     creates non-stigmatizing mental health services; and
       Whereas there is an urgent need to create readily-
     accessible, high-quality mental health services in line with 
     national and global guidelines by designing and implementing 
     comprehensive programs that are culturally, developmentally, 
     and linguistically appropriate, building local human resource 
     capacity, and strengthening health systems: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the importance of World Mental Health Day;
       (2) affirms the continued support of the United States for 
     making resources available to provide mental health services 
     and build capacity across countries and income levels, in 
     particular in countries affected by conflict and crisis;
       (3) honors the importance of trained mental health workers 
     as they enhance human well-being and mental health, restore 
     functioning, and save lives by ensuring the availability of 
     high-quality, context-relevant mental health and psychosocial 
     support services;
       (4) calls on the Secretary of State, the Administrator of 
     the United States Agency for International Development, and 
     the heads of other relevant agencies to integrate mental 
     health and psychosocial support services into programs, 
     funding opportunities, and budget allocations in order to 
     improve the overall quality of life of individuals living 
     with mental health disorders; and
       (5) commends the dedication of organizations, 
     professionals, and volunteers globally who work to improve 
     the mental health of all individuals, and the important 
     contributions and bravery of individuals globally who live 
     with or have overcome mental health disorders.

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