[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as May marks National Mental 
Health Awareness month, a time when Americans recommit themselves to 
building better futures for those struggling with a mental health 
condition, erasing the stigma around those seeking help, and elevating 
barriers to high quality and timely mental health care.
  According to a 2020 report released by Congress' Joint Economic 
Committee, over 40 percent of adults surveyed reported a negative 
mental or behavioral health condition exacerbated by the coronavirus. 
Ending the mental health and addiction crises is a mission that can 
unite all of our communities because, just like mine in northern Ohio, 
there isn't a single community that hasn't struggled with both.
  I commend my colleagues with legislation on the floor today, 
including Mrs. Watson Coleman's bill to reauthorize the Minority 
Fellowship Program to support more students of color entering the 
mental health workforce, who are dedicated to addressing mental health 
disparities among underserved populations.
  It is time, and over time, for Congress to take meaningful action, 
targeting provider shortages, reimbursement parity, housing support, 
treatment, and more Federal funding to push the bounds of Federal 
research.
  We have strong allies in the administration who care about these 
issues. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves to work with them, and 
across the aisle. We are only getting started.

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