Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month, and for other purposes.

[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 401 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 401

 Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 11, 2006

  Mrs. Napolitano (for herself, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Kennedy of Rhode 
   Island) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas approximately 54 million Americans have a mental problem or illness;
Whereas untreated and mistreated mental illness problems cost the United States 
        $105 billion in lost productivity;
Whereas the total yearly cost for mental illness in the private and public 
        sectors in the United States is over $200 billion;
Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among people under 24 years 
        old after accidents and homicide;
Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents, more than any other group of teens, report 
        having seriously considered committing suicide;
Whereas an astounding 80 percent of young people entering the juvenile justice 
        system have a mental disorder;
Whereas 19.1 percent of service members returning from Iraq and 11.3 percent of 
        service members returning from Afghanistan reported a mental health 
        problem;
Whereas over 35 percent of Iraq veterans received mental health care during 
        their first year home;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that nearly half a 
        million Hurricane Katrina survivors may need mental health services;
Whereas phone calls to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
        Administration (SAMHSA) suicide hotline have nearly doubled in the 
        aftermath of Hurricane Katrina;
Whereas major depression is a leading cause of death and disability among women 
        between the ages of 40 and 55 and the second-highest of men;
Whereas every year untreated depression results in lost productivity and worker 
        absenteeism for American businesses;
Whereas the Congress saves money and lives by investing in effective mental 
        health programs, while allowing the status quo results in unnecessary 
        costs, disability, and premature death; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2006 as Mental Health Month: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That the Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in 
        order to place emphasis on the facts and the scientific 
        literature regarding mental health and attempts to remove 
        stigma associated therewith;
            (2) recognizes that mental well-being is equally as 
        important as physical well being for our citizens, for 
        communities, and for our businesses;
            (3) applauds the recent coalescing of national and 
        community organizations and their great work in promoting 
        public awareness and providing critical information and support 
        to people dealing with this crippling illness and their 
        families;
            (4) supports President Bush's Commission on Mental Health's 
        finding that the Nation's failure to prioritize mental health 
        is a national tragedy; and
            (5) urges all organizations and health practitioners to use 
        this opportunity to promote mental well-being awareness, ensure 
        access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of 
        life for those living with mental illness.
                                 <all>