[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 27, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID ACT OF 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. EARL L. ``BUDDY'' CARTER

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1877, the Mental Health First Aid Act of 2015. This act would amend the 
Public Health Service Act to finance, through grants, mental health 
first aid programs and would codify the type of training to be included 
as part of those programs. Mental health is an issue that Congress has 
attempted to address for years, and this is a great step in the right 
direction. As a healthcare professional, I have seen firsthand the 
multitude of issues plaguing mental health patients and the lack of 
training associated with properly addressing those symptoms and 
ailments.
  This bill also addresses the personnel who should be trained under 
this program to include law enforcement, first responders, teachers, 
human resources professionals, religious leaders, nurses and other 
primary care personnel. By training and assisting those people who 
would be the first to help someone who is experiencing mental health 
issues, they can diagnose and properly refer them to professional 
mental health care providers.
  Learning to de-escalate situation is an integral part of this 
legislation, and to helping those with mental health issues because it 
prepares first responders on how to safely look after both the patient 
and others in the immediate area. Mental health is an issue that often 
flies under the radar, but one we can make serious advances in taking 
up. I want to thank Congresswoman Jenkins and the Energy and Commerce 
Committee for their hard work and for bringing this to the floor for a 
vote. Together, we can shine a light on mental health needs. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.

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