[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6749]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND OUR VETERANS

  (Mr. ASHFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ASHFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my unqualified 
support for those struggling with mental health issues.
  May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an opportune time to reach 
out to those battling with this issue, including this country's 
veterans and their families.
  Many of our veterans endured trauma during their time of service and, 
as a result, are now forced to face the negative perceptions and stigma 
associated with mental health care. I want to lend my voice to a 
national program designed to reducing those negative views.
  The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging veterans, along 
with their families and friends, to visit the Web site 
maketheconnection.net. Make the Connection allows veterans to tell 
their personal stories of mental health treatment and recovery.
  Through the Web site, veterans and their loved ones hear from 
hundreds of other veterans who may be experiencing similar challenges 
and learn strategies for support and recovery. This is truly an 
excellent source of strength for veterans in need of hope.

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