[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 194 (Wednesday, November 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 2017

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2228, 
the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, which would 
create reports on mental health practices and services that could be 
adopted by law enforcement agencies. This is an important piece of 
legislation, and I am pleased to support it.
  I understand all too well people who experience mental health 
problems, as I have spent time meeting with individuals during my time 
as a Congressman. Studies by the National Institutes of Health have 
shown that individuals in my home state of Georgia experience post-
traumatic stress disorder and general anxiety disorder at a rate double 
the national average. Furthermore, law enforcement officers are placed 
at the forefront as they have to deal with stressful and dangerous 
situations every day. Currently, federal grants are awarded to states 
to fund studies into the social impacts of crime. However, there are no 
conditions in place to have these grants investigate the mental health 
and well-being of law enforcement, who are neglected as a part of the 
mental-health problem in the country. For example, data showed that 
officers reported more suicidal thoughts than the general population by 
over 10 percent. To remedy this, H.R. 2228 will expand the scope of 
these grants to investigate mental health practices and services that 
could be adopted by law enforcement agencies. The Department of Justice 
(DOJ) would also separately report on programs that have positive 
impacts on the psychological health and well-being of law enforcement 
officers. With these reports, the DOJ would ensure that law enforcement 
agencies have the appropriate resources to deal with mental health 
issues common to law enforcement officers.
  Studies have shown that between 7 to 19 percent of police officers 
have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and they are more 
likely to die from suicide rather than homicide. I urge my colleagues 
to stand with me and support law enforcement to obtain the mental-
health resources they deserve.

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