[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 121 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BEBE MOORE CAMPBELL NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2022

  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bebe Moore 
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
  The COVID-19 pandemic brought on an unprecedented number of mental 
health issues for Americans across the nation. However, America has 
been dealing with a crisis for years.
  This is particularly true for youth of color. Black children under 
the age of 12 are dying by suicide at twice the rate of their White 
peers. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian Pacific Islander 
youth ages 12 to 19 years old.
  That is why I am proud to have introduced H. Res. 1217, urging mental 
health resources be provided for adolescents of color.
  Similarly, I am proud to see that as of this past week, Americans can 
finally use the nationwide 988 Lifeline.
  This will afford everyone in need 24/7 confidential support if they 
are experiencing suicidal or mental-health related stress.
  Despite this stride forward in our fight to accessible mental health 
care, there are still systemic and institutional barriers to our 
children of color. Already, the lack of cultural understanding and 
competency by health care providers cause many to delay or forgo 
treatment and leads to `underdiagnosis'.
  We must commit to saving the lives of our children.

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