[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
(Ms. MANNING asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as Mental
Health Awareness Month. Now, more than ever, we must acknowledge the
mental health crisis facing our Nation, particularly among school-aged
children.
Repercussions from the pandemic and increased social pressure from
social media have led to reports of rapidly rising mental health
struggles.
In my home State of North Carolina, our K through 12 students are
struggling. Last month, I hosted a roundtable with school counselors,
administrators, and teachers to hear firsthand about the challenges
impacting young people. Suicide attempts and youth depression are
rising at alarming rates. Congress must act to address students' mental
health needs.
I am preparing to reintroduce my bipartisan bill, Improving Mental
Health and Wellness in Schools Act, legislation to integrate mental
health education and services into existing wellness policies in
schools.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and
taking swift action to address the mental health needs of our students.
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