[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

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                           HON. JOYCE BEATTY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to May being 
National Mental Health Awareness month, a nationwide initiative that 
aims to raise awareness and fight the stigmas associated with mental 
health illnesses.
  Nearly 44 million American adults, and millions of children 
experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, 
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress.
  Although we have made great progress expanding access to mental 
health treatment with the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act, 
too many people still do not get the help they need.
  Despite the availability of treatment, the stigma associated with 
mental illness continues to keep millions of Americans from getting the 
treatment they need.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to our citizen's 
mental health needs, because according to a study by the National 
Alliance on Mental Illness, mental illnesses cost America over $193.2 
billion in lost earnings every year.
  Congress must work together to ensure people living with mental 
illness know that they are not alone, that hope exists, and that the 
possibility of healing and thriving is achievable.
  We should be sure that our budget, which we will be debating in the 
coming weeks, includes adequate funding to help.

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