[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY

  (Ms. SALINAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my first Mental Health 
Monday.
  There are 731,000 adults in Oregon who have a mental health 
condition. These 731,000 of our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and 
family members are struggling, and we in Congress have an obligation to 
find solutions to their struggles.
  That is why I am dedicating my Mondays to mental health. For too 
long, we have allowed stigma to shame people into silence, and that 
silence has cost lives. It is my hope that, by raising awareness, we 
can make strides in care, treatment, and recovery for those struggling 
with their mental health.
  Today is also the first Monday of Black History Month, so I would be 
remiss not to acknowledge the troubling disparity in mental health care 
for the Black community. Lack of access to culturally responsive care 
makes treatment inaccessible to too many Black and Brown individuals. 
Congress must work to bridge that gap.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me for future Mental Health Mondays 
as we work to break new ground on this very important issue.

                          ____________________