[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H658-H659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ADDRESSING OUR NATION'S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

  (Ms. BALINT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BALINT. Mr. Speaker, we can't truly address the mental health 
crisis in this country without addressing the stigma head-on. For that 
reason, I rise today to say that I am one of the millions of Americans 
who balance day-to-day life with managing anxiety and depression.
  It isn't always easy for me to share my struggles with mental health, 
but I know that facing mental health challenges does not make you weak. 
It makes you human, and it gives others permission and courage to also 
speak openly.
  We have to change the national conversation so that we can pull 
together bipartisan support to finally address our mental health 
crisis.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to turn 
their attention to our country's growing mental health crisis.
  Addressing mental health gets to the root of some of our country's 
most challenging issues. The issues do not exist within a vacuum. They 
touch education; they touch housing; and they touch substance use 
disorder.
  I will not stop bringing up this issue until our communities feel 
heard and receive the support they desperately need.

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