OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Mental Health and Suicide Awareness

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 2, 2021
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness to the current mental health crisis.

My home state of Arkansas has one of the highest proportions of individuals with trauma and PTSD in the nation. The COVID crisis has increased the mental health needs of Arkansans and all Americans.

Last year in Arkansas we tragically lost 583 of our neighbors, friends, and family members to suicide. Many personally know the pain of what it is like to lose a person to suicide.

Suicide rates in Arkansas are above the American average. Simultaneously, Arkansas also has a higher rate of adults with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.

There are more resources now than ever to provide support for anyone who needs it. I am proud to have supported funding for these resources earlier this Congress, including funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Mental health can be a tough topic to speak about, but it shouldn't be.

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