[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA:
  S. 2072. A bill to establish a pilot program to provide mental health 
check-ups for students at schools operated by the Department of Defense 
Education Activity, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Supporting 
Mental Health for Military Children Act. This legislation would 
establish a routine mental-health and well-being checkup pilot program 
in Department of Defense Education Activity, DODEA, Schools.
  In response to the growing youth mental health crisis in America, 
this bill would establish a biannual mental health screening program to 
ensure students have the resources they need to support their mental 
health, combat the stigmatization of seeking help, and promote healthy 
lifestyles.
  Our Nation's young people are facing an unprecedented mental health 
crisis. An estimated 49.5 percent of American adolescents have had a 
mental health disorder at some point in their lives, with 50 percent of 
all lifetime mental illnesses beginning by age 14; 75 percent by age 
24. This state of affairs was only worsened by the pandemic.
  While these numbers are already staggering, military children are at 
even greater risk of mental/behavioral health problems than the general 
population given their unique vulnerability to adverse childhood 
experiences. As such, early screening and treatment are essential to 
decreasing the risk of suicide and improving management of/recovery 
from mental health conditions amongst this vulnerable segment of youth.
  The evidence is clear: Ubiquitous mental health screening and 
education protocols, offered by 55 percent of U.S. public schools in 
2019 to 2022, are well-tested, relatively low-resource, and high-impact 
ways to swiftly diagnose and treat mental health conditions amongst 
youth.
  I would like to thank Congressman Moulton for his leadership and 
efforts on the House side. I look forward to working with my colleagues 
to enact the Supporting Mental Health for Military Children Act as 
quickly as possible.
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