National Mental Health Awareness Month

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as May marks National Mental Health Awareness month, a time when Americans recommit themselves to building better futures for those struggling with a mental health condition, erasing the stigma around those seeking help, and elevating barriers to high quality and timely mental health care.

According to a 2020 report released by Congress' Joint Economic Committee, over 40 percent of adults surveyed reported a negative mental or behavioral health condition exacerbated by the coronavirus. Ending the mental health and addiction crises is a mission that can unite all of our communities because, just like mine in northern Ohio, there isn't a single community that hasn't struggled with both.

I commend my colleagues with legislation on the floor today, including Mrs. Watson Coleman's bill to reauthorize the Minority Fellowship Program to support more students of color entering the mental health workforce, who are dedicated to addressing mental health disparities among underserved populations.

It is time, and over time, for Congress to take meaningful action, targeting provider shortages, reimbursement parity, housing support, treatment, and more Federal funding to push the bounds of Federal research.

We have strong allies in the administration who care about these issues. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves to work with them, and across the aisle. We are only getting started.

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