[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HURRICANE KATRINA MENTAL HEALTH RELIEF ACT

  (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, as a former 
psychiatric nurse, I rise to express concern for the mental health 
needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The State of Texas reported 
last week that 9.2 percent of the Katrina evacuees in Texas need mental 
health assistance. Approximately 5 percent have serious mental illness. 
At least 11 percent of the children suffer from post-traumatic stress 
disorder.
  Last week, I introduced H.R. 3708, the Hurricane Katrina Mental 
Health Relief Act. This bill would dedicate 10 percent of the disaster 
relief funds for mental health services to victims and first 
responders. It is supported by the National Mental Health Association, 
the National Alliance of Mental Health, American Psychological 
Association, American Public Health Association, American Psychiatric 
Nurses Association, American Association of Social Workers, the 
National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care, and the Mental 
Health Care Association of Dallas.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

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