[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

  (Ms. PETTERSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Mental Health 
Awareness Month to talk about something that impacts every family in 
this country.
  Whether it is struggling ourselves or someone we know, all of us have 
been touched by mental health challenges. Far too often, people don't 
have access to the critical care that they need.
  For me, it was my brother Justin. After years of struggling and 
falling through the cracks, we lost him to suicide in 2008. There isn't 
a day that goes by that I don't think about him.
  Justin was one of the smartest people I have known. He was 
passionate, an avid reader, and was working to become a history 
teacher. He had recently been married and had his entire life ahead of 
him.
  Through all the moments of our lives, big and small, our family 
grieves that he is not with us today.
  Mr. Speaker, the most important thing we can do to reduce the stigma 
is to tell our stories, and that is why I am here telling mine.
  To the individuals and the families who are struggling in this 
country, I want you to know that you are not alone, and there are so 
many of us here in Congress who are not going to stop fighting for you.

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