Suicide Prevention Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for the opportunity to speak.

As we come together for Suicide Prevention Month, I am deeply aware that this heartbreaking crisis is hitting the Black community hard. The CDC reported that in 2023, the suicide rate among Black Americans rose by 19 percent, with Black youth experiencing the sharpest increase of any racial group in the Nation. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for action.

Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy that makes waves through communities and through families, leaving a void that cannot be filled. Yet, too many of our loved ones don't get the mental health care and support they deserve. As lawmakers, we must confront the uncomfortable truth that our current system is simply falling short.

The Congressional Black Caucus has been at the forefront of addressing this epidemic, working tirelessly to secure critical mental health resources, but our work is far from over. Suicide Prevention Month offers us a moment to reflect on what more we can do, how we can ensure these resources reach every individual in need and especially our youth.

We must expand access to culturally competent mental health care, reduce stigma, and create safe spaces for our open conversations about mental health.

That is why I introduced the Mental Health Workforce Act, to address racial disparities in the mental health field. The bill seeks to allocate resources and establish programs that focus on the unique needs of marginalized communities, ensuring equitable access to mental health services.

Numerous barriers to access mental healthcare treatment persist in communities of color, including the stigma associated with mental illness, general distrust of healthcare institutions, and the lack of health insurance.

Together, we can change the trajectory of this crisis and ensure a future where every life is valued and protected.

It is critically important that you know you are not alone, and we are here to help.

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