[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 121 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6926-H6927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       DIAL 988 FOR MENTAL HEALTH

  (Mr. CARDENAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARDENAS. Madam Speaker, July 16 marked the turning point for 
America.

[[Page H6927]]

  For the first time in our history, anytime, anywhere in America, you 
can call 988 for immediate help during a mental health crisis.
  But to truly meet this moment and carry forward the full potential of 
988, we need to do more.
  Right now, America's default for people who need immediate help when 
experiencing a mental health crisis is to call 911, and the default 
treatment facilities are jails and emergency rooms.
  Time and time again, we have seen repeating tragedies of police 
officers killing individuals during a mental health emergency. The fact 
is, we need to stop criminalizing mental illness and get people the 
crisis help that they need.
  To truly fulfill the promise of 988, we must make sure anyone who 
dials 988 will have someone to call, someone to come if they need help, 
and somewhere to go for compassionate continuous care.

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