[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2018

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Mental Health Awareness month.
  Every May since 1949, we have observed Mental Health Awareness Month.
  To begin, I want to share my understanding of what is entailed when 
we say ``mental health.''
  Many of the disorders include, but are not limited to: Eating 
Disorders, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Addictions Alcohol 
and drug abuse, Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar 
Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Conduct Disorder, Depression, 
Eating Disorders, Excoriation Disorder (Skin Picking), Generalized 
Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Tardive Dyskinesia, Learning Disabilities, 
Maternal Depression, Multi-infarct Dementia, Obsessive-Compulsive 
Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Paranoia and Delusional Disorders, 
Schizophrenia, Seasonal Depression, Self-injury (Cutting, Self-Harm or 
Self-Mutilation), Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Determinants of 
Health, Stress, Substance Abuse, Suicide and Tardive Dyskinesia.
  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Mental 
illnesses are common in the United States. One in six U.S. adults lives 
with a mental illness. That is almost 45 million people in 2016.
  Mental illness is separated into two major groups: Serious Mental 
Illness and Any Mental Illness.
  Any mental illness is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional 
disorder. Serious Mental Illness is defined as a mental, behavioral, or 
emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which 
substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life 
activities.
  In 2016, among the 10.4 million adults with Serious Mental Illness, 
6.7 million, almost 65 percent, received mental health treatment in the 
past year.
  More women with Serious Mental Illness received mental health 
treatment than men with Any Mental Illness.
  The percentage of young adults aged 18 to 25 years with Any Mental 
Illness who received mental health treatment was lower than adults with 
Any Mental Illness aged 26 to 49 years and aged 50 and older.
  Let me say that again. Fewer young adults with mental illness were 
getting treated than any other age group. It is not that fewer have 
mental illness, but that fewer are getting treated.
  This should concern us greatly.
  If anyone feels they have a mental illness or has a loved one they 
believe has a mental illness, there are resources available to help 
them.
  For immediate help if the person is in crisis, they can call National 
Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
  In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration (SAMHSA) runs a Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-
662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA also has a Behavioral Health Treatment Locator 
on its website that can be searched by location.
  The thing to remember is that no one is alone and there is help 
available for those who seek it.

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