[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E869-E870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING FOUR BIPARTISAN BILLS THAT ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2020

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of four important 
bipartisan bills that address the mental health crisis in our country 
during the pandemic and economic recession. H.R. 1646, the Helping 
Emergency Responders Overcome Act of 2019, H.R. 4564, the Suicide 
Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2019, H.R. 4585, the Campaign to 
Prevent Suicide Act and H.R. 5619, the Suicide Prevention Act advanced 
through my Health Subcommittee and I'm pleased to support them on the 
Floor.
  In a recent poll, half of adults report that their mental health has 
been negatively impacted due to the coronavirus. Add to this the mental 
impacts on those Americans who are grieving loved ones lost to the 
virus.
  The economic downturn is also taking a mental toll on our fellow 
Americans. Studies found for every 1 percent increase in the 
unemployment rate, the suicide rate increases by 1 to 1.6 percent.
  Despite the frequency of mental illness, too many suffer in silence. 
Mental health is a neglected part of our health care system, with

[[Page E870]]

less than 40 percent of people with mental illness receiving any 
treatment.
  These bills address this mental health care crisis.
  H.R. 1646, the bipartisan HERO Act introduced by Rep. Ami Bera 
creates a data system at the CDC to capture public safety officer 
suicide incidences and study successful interventions, authorize grants 
for peer support behavioral health and wellness programs within fire 
departments and emergency medical service agencies. It also requires 
the development of best practices for addressing post-traumatic stress 
disorder in public safety officers and educational materials.
  H.R. 4564, the bipartisan Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act 
of 2019 introduced by Reps. Katko, Beyer, and Napolitano increases the 
authorization funding level of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
program to $50 million each year, from FY 2020 through FY 2022. The 
bill also includes a pilot program to research, analyze, and employ 
various innovative technologies and platforms for suicide prevention.
  H.R. 4585, the bipartisan Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act, introduced 
by Reps. Beyer and Gianforte directs HHS to carry out a national 
suicide prevention media campaign to advertise the new 9-8-8 number.
  Finally, H.R. 5619, the bipartisan Suicide Prevention Act, introduced 
by Reps. Stewart and Matsui, establishes two grant programs to prevent 
self-harm and suicide.
  Our health as a Nation, both physical and mental, will be tested in 
the months ahead. These bills will help people find the care and 
treatment they need and can save lives. I urge my colleagues to support 
these bipartisan bills.

                          ____________________