[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8859-8862]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 1134) supporting the goals and ideals of 
Mental Health Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1134

       Whereas the mental health and well-being of Americans is a 
     critical issue that affects not only the quality of life, but 
     also the health of our communities and our economic 
     stability;
       Whereas the stigma associated with mental health persists;
       Whereas more than 57,000,000 Americans suffer from a mental 
     illness;
       Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable 
     mental disorder;
       Whereas more than 1 in 5 of our troops suffer from major 
     depression or post traumatic stress disorder;
       Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates 
     suffer from mental illness;
       Whereas mental illness is the most common disability in our 
     Nation;
       Whereas untreated mental illness costs businesses and the 
     American economy over $150,000,000,000 annually;
       Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of 
     absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace;
       Whereas in 2004, over 32,000 individuals committed suicide 
     in the United States, at twice the rate of homicides;
       Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among 
     people between the ages of 10 and 24;
       Whereas in 2004, individuals aged 65 and older made up only 
     12.4 percent of the population, but accounted for 16 percent 
     of all suicides, and the rate of suicide among older 
     Americans is higher than for any other age group;
       Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously 
     contemplating suicide, a rate higher than any other 
     demographic;
       Whereas studies report that persons with serious mental 
     illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general 
     population; and
       Whereas it would be appropriate to designate May 2008 as 
     Mental Health Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in 
     order to emphasize scientific facts and findings regarding 
     mental health and to remove the stigma associated therewith;
       (2) recognizes that mental well-being is equally as 
     important as physical well-being for our citizens, our 
     communities, our businesses, our economy, and our Nation;
       (3) applauds the coalescing of national and community 
     organizations in working to promote public awareness of 
     mental health, and providing critical information and support 
     to the people and families affected by mental illness;
       (4) supports the findings of the President's Commission on 
     Mental Health that the Nation's failure to prioritize mental 
     health is a national tragedy; and
       (5) encourages all organizations and health practitioners 
     to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote 
     mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate

[[Page 8860]]

     services, and support overall quality of life for those with 
     mental illness.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Napolitano) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on this resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, for far too long the topic of mental health has been 
pushed aside and swept under the rug. You don't see it, you don't talk 
about it, and you don't hear about it. It connotes people are crazy.
  However, we cannot continue to ignore that mental illness does not 
discriminate. It touches all regardless of race, of gender, of class or 
of religion. It is time we address this issue at the forefront honestly 
and openly. Too many of our family members of our friends, our 
coworkers and especially our veterans and soldiers have had to suffer 
with mental illnesses in silence.
  According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 57 million Americans suffer 
from some form of mental illness. Despite findings that most mental 
illnesses are highly treatable, only one in three individuals suffering 
from these illnesses seek and or receive any treatment.
  This low treatment can be attributed to the strong stigma associated 
with mental health issue that is still pervade and persist. Twenty 
percent of our United States population suffers from a diagnosable, 
treatable mental disorder, making the mental illness the leading cause 
of disability in our Nation, affecting our businesses and our economy.
  The mental health and well-being of Americans are critical issues 
that affect not only the health of our communities, the quality of 
life, and, as importantly, our economic stability. A new report by the 
National Institute of Mental Health found that serious mental illnesses 
cost Americans at least $193 billion a year in lost earnings alone.
  Our action is far overdue. We have had tests, screening for breast 
cancer, for heart attacks, for strokes and a myriad of other diseases 
and conditions. We have not yet woken up to the fact that the brain 
functions are vital to our body's health and survival.
  It is critical that we will destigmatize mental illness so that our 
children, our families, our veterans receive the necessary help they 
need to lead productive lives with support from their families and 
their communities.
  I respectfully encourage all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution to recognize May as Mental Health Month. We must all come 
together on this critical issue. It is vital that we recognize the 
scientific facts and real findings regarding mental health and work to 
remove the stigma associated therewith.
  By increasing awareness of mental health issues we can insure that 
individuals have access to services including early detection and early 
prevention, and, most of all, to assure parity in our medical delivery 
systems.
  This will allow us to improve the lives of those suffering from 
mental illness and their loved ones while reversing the negative impact 
that mental illness has had on our economy, on our families, and on our 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1134, 
acknowledging the month of May as National Mental Health Month. Mental 
Health Month has been recognized by Congress for over 50 years and has 
continued to raise awareness in our communities and to lower the stigma 
associated with mental disorders.
  I would like to express my gratitude to the national and community 
organizations working to promote public awareness of mental health, 
providing the proper information for families affected by mental 
illness. Your work is critical to increasing the quality of life for 
those with mental illnesses.
  I would also like to thank the author of the resolution, 
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California, for her leadership in 
helping Americans' well-being and addressing mental disorders.
  I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
resolution.
  With that, I would ask if Congressman Mike Castle of the great State 
of Delaware could be the minority floor manager for the balance of this 
bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentlewoman from 
California for yielding time, but I also want to commend her for the 
tremendous leadership that she continues to provide on this critical 
issue of mental health, mental illness. I am pleased to join with her 
in support of H. Res. 1134, recognizing and acknowledging Mental Health 
Awareness Month during the month of May.
  I agree with Representative Napolitano that mental health is one of 
the major health issues facing our society, and yet it does not get the 
kind of attention that it needs and deserves.
  When we think of all of the individuals who will suffer from 
substance abuse, all of the individuals who find themselves perplexed 
and not quite knowing how to navigate the society in which we live, and 
when we consider the fact that we have not reached the point of 
providing parity consideration nor parity treatment for mental illness, 
it's appropriate that we recognize May as Mental Health Awareness 
Month.
  Again, I congratulate the gentlewoman from California for her 
leadership.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I also rise in strong support of the legislation. I think mental 
health is something that needs awareness in this country. What this 
resolution does in dedicating the month to it is very significant, and 
I would encourage support of all Members here.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I really am grateful to my colleagues 
on the other side for their support. This has been a bipartisan effort, 
both with Representative Murphy, myself, and members of the Mental 
Health Caucus.
  It has been quite important to us to continue working in airing the 
issue for this Nation's ability to be able to understand that we need 
to have more focus on how mental health affects our daily lives, our 
children in school, our seniors, mental health depression, our 
veterans, our soldiers in war after several deployments, all of those 
are parts of the whole that we need to understand in how it affects our 
lives.
  The Army recently issued a memorandum to train the chain of command 
on mental health issues. They are encouraging their servicemembers to 
talk to their commanders on these issues openly and without fear of 
retribution in certain areas where they have already been deployed.
  Parity was passed in February in the House, and it is a good first 
step and must be signed into law and it will help not only families but 
business as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time my 
colleagues have put into this. It is an issue that is very pervasive 
and we need to encourage more effort into it, not only in funding for 
research, but also in assistance to be able to render services so that 
individuals who suffer from these illnesses can continue good, 
productive lives.

[[Page 8861]]

  I reserve the balance of my time, and I have no other speakers, Mr. 
Speaker.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe we have any other speakers 
at this time, so I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I have just one more word of thanks to 
my colleagues on both sides and I ask for continued support of this 
bill by a ``yes'' vote.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 1134, supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health 
Month. I would first like to thank my distinguished colleague, 
Representative Grace Napolitano of California, for introducing this 
important legislation. This legislation designates the month of May to 
raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of 
mental wellness for all. The mental health and well-being of Americans 
is a critical issue that affects not only the quality of life, but also 
the health of our communities and our economic stability.
  Since the turn of this century, thanks in large measure to research-
based public health innovations, the lifespan of the average American 
has nearly doubled. Today, our Nation's physical health has never been 
better. Moreover, illnesses of the body once shrouded in fear--such as 
cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS to name a few--increasingly are seen as 
treatable, survivable, even curable ailments. Yet, despite 
unprecedented knowledge gained in just the past three decades about the 
brain and human behavior, mental health is often an afterthought and 
illnesses of the mind remain shrouded in fear and misunderstanding.
  Much remains to be learned about the causes, treatment, and 
prevention of mental and behavioral disorders. Obstacles that may limit 
the availability or accessibility of mental health services for some 
Americans are being dismantled, but disparities persist. Still, thanks 
to research and the experiences of millions of individuals who have a 
mental disorder, their family members, and other advocates, the Nation 
has the power today to tear down the most formidable obstacle to future 
progress in the arena of mental illness and health. That obstacle is 
stigma. Stigmatization of mental illness is an excuse for inaction and 
discrimination that is inexcusably outmoded in 1999.
  The burden of mental illness on health and productivity in the United 
States and throughout the world has long been profoundly 
underestimated. Data developed by the massive Global Burden of Disease 
study, conducted by the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and 
Harvard University, reveal that mental illness, including suicide, 
ranks second in the burden of disease in established market economies, 
such as the United States. Mental illness emerged from the Global 
Burden of Disease study as a surprisingly significant contributor to 
the burden of disease.
  Mental illness is the term that refers collectively to all 
diagnosable mental disorders. Mental disorders are health conditions 
that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior--
or some combination thereof--associated with distress and/or impaired 
functioning. Alzheimer's disease exemplifies a mental disorder largely 
marked by alterations in thinking, especially forgetting. Depression 
exemplifies a mental disorder largely marked by alterations in mood. 
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder exemplifies a mental disorder 
largely marked by alterations in behavior, over activity, and/or 
thinking, inability to concentrate. Alterations in thinking, mood, or 
behavior contribute to a host of problems--patient distress, impaired 
functioning, or heightened risk of death, pain, disability, or loss of 
freedom.
  Suicide is a major, preventable public health problem. In 2004, it 
was the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 
32,439 deaths. The overall rate was 10.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 
people. An estimated eight to 25 attempted suicides occur per every 
suicide death. Suicidal behavior is complex. Some risk factors vary 
with age, gender, or ethnic group and may occur in combination or 
change over time. Older Americans are disproportionately likely to die 
by suicide. Of every 100,000 people ages 65 and older, 14.3 died by 
suicide in 2004. This figure is higher than the national average of 
10.9 suicides per 100,000 people in the general population. Non-
Hispanic white men age 85 or older had an even higher rate, with 17.8 
suicide deaths per 100,000.
  Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are very high among 
veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, leading to suicide rates 
even higher than combat deaths. Since October 2001 in Iraq and 
Afghanistan wars fought about 1.6 million U.S. soldiers, about 4500 of 
them died, according to Defense Department. The Rand study has found 
that 20 percent of returning U.S. soldiers suffer from post-traumatic 
stress disorder or depression, but only half of them get treatment. 
Comparing these figures it becomes clear that troops suffer from post-
traumatic stress disorder complications more than from actual war. 
Soldiers with combat traumas are more likely to suffer from post-
traumatic stress disorder. Of these troops 53 percent have received 
mental care during the last few years, but Rand report says that half 
of them did not receive adequate care. This is one of leading causes 
leading to depression development in veterans. There are currently 
300,000 soldiers suffering from mental illnesses and they need new 
innovative treatment for depression or PTSD treatment.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in 
order to emphasize scientific facts and findings regarding mental 
health and to remove the stigma associated. I recognize that mental 
well-being is equally as important as physical well-being for our 
citizens, our communities, our businesses, our economy, and our Nation. 
I encourage all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental 
Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and 
awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall 
quality of life for those with mental illness.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1134, 
legislation to support the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month. I 
would like to thank my colleagues and co-chairs of the Mental Health 
Caucus, Representative Napolitano and Representative Murphy, for their 
continued dedication to educating Congress on this most important 
issue.
  It is critical for Congress to recognize May as Mental Health Month 
because we have the leadership role and the responsibility to transform 
mental health care in America. We are working to change the access, the 
delivery system and the outcomes of care. But we are also working to 
bring down the barriers to action that exist because of stigma, 
ignorance and misunderstanding of mental illness and substance use.
  Congress must work to increase public awareness and understanding of 
mental illness and substance use by funding research in genetics and 
functional medicine and developing and translating this research into 
effective treatments. We have the evidence to show how the brain 
suffers from the effects of mental illness and substance use. We know 
also that people who suffer the long term effects of mental illness die 
at an earlier age, suffer from untreated diabetes, hypertension and 
other chronic disease, because it is so difficult to get the care they 
need to protect their health and functioning.
  Several years ago, our Nation did not talk about cancer because of 
our fears, our poor understanding and our dread of losing our loved 
ones. Now mental illness is emerging from that same silence and 
neglect. As President Kennedy said, ``This neglect must end, if our 
Nation is to live up to its own standards of compassion and dignity.''
  For all our citizens bearing the burdens of mental illness and 
substance use, and their families, especially their children, we are 
working to improve the awareness, understanding and effective treatment 
of mental illness. We owe it to our veterans to fully treat the 
damaging psychological wounds of war as well as their physical 
injuries. We owe it to their children to return them well and sound to 
be the parents and spouses they deserve to be.
  This leadership is a shared responsibility with Federal agencies, 
State and local governments, employers, businesses, churches, law 
enforcement, schools, sports, the entertainment industry, and every 
part of our community. I thank my colleagues for bringing this 
resolution to the floor and join them in their support recognizing May 
as Mental Health Month.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res 1134, 
supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month.
  Mental Health Month helps to educate our communities that mental 
health is a fundamental and humane priority for America's well-being.
  The quiet suffering of the afflicted, the familial pain shared by 
their loved ones, and the societal stigma associated with mental 
illness all make mental health very important to all Americans.
  We must realize the toll mental illness has taken on the young. One 
in five children has a mental disorder. Furthermore, suicide is the 
third leading cause of death among teenagers, and every one in four 
Latina teens report seriously contemplating suicide, a rate higher than 
any other demographic.
  Mental illness continues to be a silent illness for our veterans and 
soldiers returning from serving overseas. More than one in five of our 
troops suffer from major depression or post traumatic stress disorder. 
No longer should

[[Page 8862]]

these conditions be swept under the rug, these are difficult situations 
that a lot of military families are facing every day.
  Today senior citizens compose 12 percent of the population, but 
account for 16 percent of all suicides, higher than for any other age 
group. Our seniors are the foundation of this country and their mental 
health needs are underserved.
  These are alarming and concerning statistics. Yet, many of us still 
don't know the extent of the mental health problems America is 
suffering from. Untreated mental illness costs the American economy 
over $150 billion annually.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution and educate 
our communities that mental health is a fundamental and humane priority 
for America.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 1134, a bill which supports the goals and ideals of Mental Health 
Month. I support this legislation because I believe that Congress 
should seek to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the 
importance of mental wellness for all.
  The plight of families suffering from mental illness is immense and 
can often be linked to an absence of adequate social services available 
coupled with the unwarranted stigma surrounding mental health issues. 
Due to the unwarranted social stigma associated with mental illness and 
a systemic failure to provide health care coverage, over two-thirds of 
the people who suffer from mental illness go untreated according to the 
Department of Health and Human Services.
  According to the National Institute on Mental Health, 20 percent of 
our children and 26.2 percent of American adults suffer from a 
diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. As the leading cause of 
disability in the U.S., many people suffer from more than one mental 
disorder at a given time. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 
one in two Americans has a diagnosable mental disorder each year.
  Within minority communities, there is an increased need for mental 
health services. For example, according to the Centers for Disease 
Control, African Americans are more likely to experience a mental 
disorder and less likely to seek treatment than Caucasian Americans. 
When African Americans do seek treatment, they are more likely to use 
the emergency room for mental health care, and they are also more 
likely than whites to receive inpatient care.
  In 2004, the House Government Reform Committee estimated $100 million 
of taxpayers' money was spent on detention of youth awaiting community 
mental health services. I am alarmed by this number and therefore 
support H. Res. 1134 because it recognizes the dual need for 
preventative mental and physical healthcare.
  Last year, I introduced H. Con. Res. 86 to express the sense of 
Congress that an appropriate month should be recognized as Bebe Moore 
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Bebe Moore 
Campbell was a premier journalist who, before her untimely death, 
authored a children's book titled, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, 
winner of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Outstanding 
Literature Award. Through this story of how a little girl copes with 
being reared by her mentally ill mother, Moore Campbell was able to 
raise public awareness on mental health issues and heighten the 
consciousness of this topic within minority communities.
  We must strive to accomplish the goals and ideals associated with 
Mental Health Month in order to alleviate the obstacles and burdens 
many people and families who are affected by mental illness face on a 
daily basis. Again, I would like to affirm my support of H. Res. 1134.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for H. 
Res. 1134, supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month. This 
legislation applauds the hard work of practitioners and national and 
community organizations in promoting mental health awareness, and 
supports improving the overall quality of life for those with mental 
illness. H. Res. 1134 also supports the findings of the President's 
Commission on Mental Health that the nation's failure to prioritize 
mental health is a national tragedy.
  Mr. Speaker, mental health is no less important than physical health. 
In fact, as science is proving, mental health and physical health are 
intertwined in complex ways that are only beginning to be understood. 
The relationship between depression and heart disease is just one 
example of the inherent symbiosis of psychiatric and somatic illnesses.
  Just as the heart is the organ upon which heart disease preys, the 
brain is the organ plagued by diseases of the mind. Likewise, death as 
a result of suicide is no less tragic than death secondary to a heart 
attack. Those suffering from severe psychiatric illness should not be 
held to a lesser standard of care than those suffering from physical 
illnesses.
  Ensuring access to appropriate services is central to improving the 
quality of life for those with mental illness. The issue of mental 
health insurance parity, in my opinion, is a civil rights issue. 
Inequity of coverage with regard to mental health and substance abuse 
treatment benefits is tantamount to discrimination against the mentally 
ill, and it reinforces the strategy of insurance companies to deny care 
rather than provide care.
  The mental health community scored a victory for its patients earlier 
this year when the House voted to pass H.R. 1424, the ``Paul Wellstone 
Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007.''
  It has taken courage on the part of Congressmen like my colleague 
Patrick Kennedy to stand up to special interests and ``do the right 
thing'' when it comes to ending discrimination against the mentally ill 
and standing up to health insurance companies. There is still work to 
be done before a mental health insurance parity bill is signed into 
law. Hopefully, the bill will soon be reconciled into a form which will 
benefit psychiatric patients and end discrimination against the 
mentally ill.
  Mr. Speaker, let us applaud the tireless work and unending 
determination of those fighting to improve the lives of the mentally 
ill. Let us also be reminded that there is much work to be done before 
the stigma associated with mental illness is ended, and the lives of 
those suffering from mental illness are valued as much as those 
suffering from other medical illnesses.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1134.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________