[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 121 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ORLI SHEFFEY AND SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2022

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I am here to shed light on the 
unprecedented mental health crisis that is devastating countless 
families, including many in my own community.
  Earlier this year, I attended the funeral of Orli Sheffey, an 
outstanding young constituent, and the daughter of my dear friend Steve 
Sheffey. She passed away at the age of 19 as a result of mental 
illness--an invisible illness that far too many Americans confront. I 
rise to honor Orli today. In Hebrew, Orli means ``my light,'' and Orli 
was a light to so many. She was a daughter, a sister, a classmate, and 
a friend, and while her time on this Earth was brief, her impact is 
lasting.
  It is clear that we must confront the nationwide mental health 
crisis. Too many people feel like they are in darkness. Too many people 
feel alone and ashamed. And too many people cannot find the resources 
and health care that they need. According to reports, 4 in 10 Americans 
report suffering from anxiety or depression. It's not hard to see why. 
Americans have been forced to deal with a devastating pandemic, mass 
shootings, racial injustice, and increasing hate crimes and 
intolerance.
  Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration recognize this crisis. I 
am proud that we passed the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider 
Protection Act, to improve mental health resources for healthcare 
workers. I am grateful that the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline is 
now LIVE. I urge anyone who is struggling with a mental health crisis 
to call the 9-8-8 lifeline. And we need to make sure that the resources 
that Congress has already created are known and easily accessible. In 
2016, my bill, the Mental Health on Campus Act was enacted through an 
appropriations package. It created a grant program to ensure that 
colleges and universities could provide vital mental health resources 
for students. We must make sure students can access these resources and 
do not feel ashamed or stigmatized for doing so. There is much more 
work to be done.
  It is critical at this moment that we honor Orli. Part of what we can 
do is to work to shine light on this crisis. I will never stop fighting 
to ensure that the mental health needs of our communities are met.

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