[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H5549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STRENGTHENING MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

  (Ms. PORTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, too often, our country fails to get people 
the mental healthcare they need. This is true for Americans of all 
ages, and it is particularly acute for our Nation's college students.
  They face the hurdles of corporate greed in our healthcare system and 
stigma against mental health treatment. But they also run into 
roadblocks with unhelpful or, at times, actively harmful campus 
policies.
  Policymakers need to give students the tools they need to succeed so 
they can graduate and become leaders in our communities.
  I have written legislation, the Student Mental Health Rights Act, 
that would strengthen mental health policies on college campuses to 
better protect young people struggling with mental health challenges.
  Students have begun a third school year disrupted by COVID-19. They 
continue to face the challenges of being physically isolated from their 
peers and navigating remote or hybrid instruction.
  The problem is clear: Protecting students' health is urgent and 
necessary.

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