H.Res. 1258House111th Congress (2009-2011)Passed Congress

Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month.

Legislative Activity

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9 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 25, 2010 • 3:08 PM

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 15, 2010

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

April 15, 2010

HouseFloor

Ms. Matsui moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

May 24, 2010 • 2:05 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3709-3712)

May 24, 2010 • 2:05 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1258.

May 24, 2010 • 2:05 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

May 24, 2010 • 2:19 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3767-3768)

May 25, 2010 • 3:02 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 1 (Roll no. 295).(text: CR 5/24/2010 H3710)

View vote Passed

May 25, 2010 • 3:08 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 1 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR 5/24/2010 H3710)

View vote Passed

May 25, 2010 • 3:08 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 25, 2010 • 3:08 PM

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

May 25, 2010 at 3:08 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

414 - 1

Floor Debate

11 members

What members said about H.Res. 1258 on the floor

4 Republicans7 Democrats

Rep. Doris O. MatsuiD-CA-5 · May 24, 2010

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1258) expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month, as amended. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous…

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to

the resolution (H. Res. 1258) expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1258. This resolution expresses support for the designation of this month, the month of May, as Mental Health Month.

We all know it, but sometimes we forget that mental health is absolutely essential to the overall health of every single person in this country. Mental health is an important contributor to the health of our communities, our families and even to our economy.

Mental illness affects 57 million people in the United States, Madam Speaker. The people impacted by mental illness are workers, their bosses, their employees, their mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and close friends.

And increasingly, they are children. One in every five children and adolescents may have a diagnosable mental disorder.

Mental illnesses are clinically indicated, and they range from bipolar disorder to bulimia and other eating disorders to anxiety- related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. These illnesses affect all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. They can strike at any place and at any time.

However, certain groups in our country appear to be more vulnerable to mental illness than others. For example, Latina adolescents have a higher suicide rate than any other demographic. And one-quarter of the members of our Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained during combat. This is a problem that we cannot and we must not ignore.

Madam Speaker, we know that mental illness is becoming more and more common in the United States and around the world. We know that mental illnesses have biological causes, and we know that the vast majority of mental illnesses can be treated. And yet people with mental illness continue to live under a stigma that surrounds those who fight diseases of the mind.

Today's resolution gives this House a valuable opportunity to help our constituents understand the biological basis for many mental disorders. It salutes the important work of national and community organizations who promote public awareness of mental illness and who help fight the unfair stigma associated with mental disease.

House Resolution 1258 also encourages health providers and organizations to promote mental well-being and to ensure that people with mental illness have access to the services that can literally save their lives.

This and previous Congresses have taken important and necessary steps to improve access to mental health services. Personally, I look forward to working with my colleagues to increase access to community-based mental health services.

In my hometown of Sacramento, the community-based mental health system is crumbling under the weight of severe budget cuts and ever- increasing demand for services.

We here in Washington cannot sit idly by as vital community services are slashed. Those whose very lives depend on a trained and understanding mental health provider are counting on us, and this resolution honors those who have dedicated their lives to treating others with mental illness.

I want to commend Representative Napolitano, the sponsor of this resolution and co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, for her leadership on this important health issue.

I would also like to commend my Energy and Commerce Committee colleague, Representative Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, for working so closely with Mrs. Napolitano on the Mental Health Caucus.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), the sponsor of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Napolitano, Representative Murphy, for their work on this resolution and mental health issues in general. And I would like to thank my colleague from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

This resolution represents one small step toward a future where the serious burden of mental illness is but a thing of the past. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Rep. Doris O. MatsuiD-CA-5 · May 24, 2010

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to

the resolution (H. Res. 1258) expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1258. This resolution expresses support for the designation of this month, the month of May, as Mental Health Month.

And increasingly, they are children. One in every five children and adolescents may have a diagnosable mental disorder.

In my hometown of Sacramento, the community-based mental health system is crumbling under the weight of severe budget cuts and ever- increasing demand for services.

I want to commend Representative Napolitano, the sponsor of this resolution and co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, for her leadership on this important health issue.

I would also like to commend my Energy and Commerce Committee colleague, Representative Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, for working so closely with Mrs. Napolitano on the Mental Health Caucus.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), the sponsor of this resolution.

This resolution represents one small step toward a future where the serious burden of mental illness is but a thing of the past. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Rep. Grace F. NapolitanoD-CA-38 · May 24, 2010

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank both the congresswoman from California (Ms. Matsui) and the congressman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) for talking about H. Res. 1258, recognizing May as Mental…

As you've heard, there are many instances where we ignore this fact, and we are currently trying to erase the stigma. That's the biggest issue that we have in the United States.

Today we must continue to shed light on those who suffer in silence with mental illness. It knows no boundaries. As you've heard, it goes into any race, any gender, any class, any religion, any political party, everywhere. It does not discriminate.

Every day our children, our soldiers, our veterans, our family members, our coworkers and friends carry their wounds and pain on the inside. It is an invisible illness that often goes unseen and unmentioned, even as it leaves a trail of devastation in its wake.

Recent reports show that military suicide has claimed more lives of our servicemen and -women than the Afghan war, and that approximately one in five servicemembers suffer from major depression or post- traumatic syndrome. It is now recognized by military leaders that there is a great big issue, and they're trying to provide services to those men and women so that they can return to semi-normal life when they return to their respective residences.

Also, findings by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, NAMI, show that most mental illnesses are highly treatable, yet only one in three individuals suffering from mental illness seek or receive treatment. We must protect our soldiers' and their families' right to effective mental health services. They have earned it protecting our freedom.

Today, suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15- 24. Again, third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24. With each young life lost to suicide, we lose some of our Nation's future. We must continue to de-stigmatize mental illness so that all individuals, including our youth, know that it is okay, it's not shameful to ask for help and receive the treatment needed, because no child should ever feel this world would be a better place without them.

The mental health and well-being of all Americans are critical issues that affect not only the quality of life and health of our communities, but as importantly, our national economic stability.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, serious illnesses cost Americans at least $193 billion, with a ``b,'' billion a year in lost earnings alone, never mind what businesses lose in over $500 billion a year.

Mental illness is also the leading cause of absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace. We need to learn how to prevent suicide. We must take those classes, and we must learn what those signs are so that we can begin to at least address those issues with our own, if not those near us.

I respectfully encourage all my colleagues to support this resolution and thereby recognize May as Mental Health Month. Knowledge and prevention are key to continue eradicating the myths and stigma behind mental illness. If allowed to go ignored and untreated, this will only pass on to our future generations. We must unite on this critical issue and recognize the scientific facts and findings of mental illness to ensure access to professional help, including early detection and intervention.

In closing, I leave you with words from two young women from my district whose lives have been saved by a suicide prevention program we started in 2001. From Patty, 15 years old: ``Thank God we have this program, because if I didn't have this treatment, I would be dead at this time.'' From Ofelia, 17 years old: ``After my mom and dad died in an accident, I wanted to die. This program and my therapist helped me to go off my depression and two suicide attempts.'' These are just more reminders of who we must represent and who we must continue to try to help and why we were elected to serve everybody.

Rep. Grace F. NapolitanoD-CA-38 · May 24, 2010

As you've heard, there are many instances where we ignore this fact, and we are currently trying to erase the stigma. That's the biggest issue that we have in the United States.

The mental health and well-being of all Americans are critical issues that affect not only the quality of life and health of our communities, but as importantly, our national economic stability.

Rep. John Conyers, Jr.D-MI-14 · May 24, 2010

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month. Designating May 2010 as Mental Health Month in America is a much needed step to help bring…

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month. Designating May 2010 as Mental Health Month in America is a much needed step to help bring attention to the various challenges that the mentally ill face on a day to day basis which include not having access to appropriate medical care, affordable housing, job opportunities, and over-all economic security.

More than 57,000,000 people in the United States suffer from mental illness. Approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents has a diagnosable mental disorder. A quarter of the members of the United States Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained from combat, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Tragically, more than half of all prison and jail inmates suffer from mental illness. It is also the leading cause of disability in the America. In 2005, over 32,000 individuals died by suicide in the United States, nearly twice the rate of homicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between the ages of 15 and 24. In 2004, individuals age 65 and older comprised only 12.4 percent of the population, but accounted for 16.6 percent of all suicides.

Sadly, there are too many Americans with serious mental illness who do not have access to high quality and long-term mental health treatment, and fall through the cracks of our fragmented and underfunded mental health system. This is because the U.S. does not yet have a comprehensive and effective federal mental health system that can provide a single standard of high quality mental health treatment for all of our Nation's mentally ill--regardless of one's income or employment status.

The uninsured, underinsured, or Americans with low-incomes often receive their mental health services in emergency rooms, or in hospitals where they are ``stabilized,'' and then released with little or no follow-up care, medication, or housing services. This creates a ``revolving door'' cycle of hospitalizations, homelessness, unemployment, arrests, and incarceration that is the result of having an underfunded mental health system where mental health professionals do not have the optimal resources they need to provide medically appropriate care for the mentally ill and their families.

Many of our Nation's mentally ill become homeless, or are forced to live with family members or friends, because they can not afford housing due to skimpy Social Security Disability Checks, or the inability to maintain employment. Clearly, America must have a robust Federal affordable housing and employment program for the mentally ill, so those with mental illnesses have access to affordable housing, a job, and the respect and dignity that goes with being self-sufficient and productive.

Tragically, there are many uninsured or underinsured mentally ill Americans who can not afford to take medications for such debilitating illnesses as bipolar manic depression. This creates untold stress on families and friends who must deal with the unpredictable

and often inappropriate behaviors of the mentally ill who can become a danger to themselves or others if they do not take their medication on a regular basis.

I also urge my colleagues to support H.R. 676, ``The United States National Health Care Act,'' which would create a universal health care system where all mental health services would be fully covered, and there would be optimal funding for mental health facilities so the mentally ill could receive the long term and appropriate care needed to get well, and have a better quality of life.

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Engrossed in HouseIssued May 25, 2010

H. RES. 1258

In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

May 25, 2010

RESOLUTION

Whereas the mental health and well-being of people in the United States is a critical issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the health of communities, families, and economic stability;

Whereas the stigma associated with mental health continues to persist;

Whereas more than 57,000,000 people in the United States suffer from mental illness;

Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents may have a diagnosable mental disorder;

Whereas more than a quarter of the members of the United States Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained from combat, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder;

Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates suffer from mental illness;

Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the Nation;

Whereas major mental illness costs businesses and the United States economy over $193,000,000,000 per year in lost earnings;

Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace;

Whereas, in 2006, over 33,300 individuals died by suicide in the United States, nearly twice the rate of homicide;

Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between the ages of 15 and 24;

Whereas, in 2006, individuals age 65 and older comprised only 12.4 percent of the population but accounted for 15.9 percent of all suicides;

Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously contemplating suicide, a rate higher than any other demographic;

Whereas Native Americans currently rank as the top ethnicity for suicide rates nationwide;

Whereas studies report that people with serious mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population; and

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2010 as Mental Health Month: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—

(1)

supports the designation of Mental Health Month in order to place emphasis on scientific facts and findings regarding mental health and to remove the stigma associated with mental illness;

(2)

recognizes that mental well-being is as important as physical well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, and the economy in the United States;

(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 finding of the President’s Commission on Mental Health that recovery from mental illness is a real possibility and steps can be taken to improve the lives of those living with mental illnesses, which will benefit American families, communities, schools, and workplaces; and

(5)

encourages 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 living with mental illness.

Clerk.