OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Mental Health Awareness Month

Floor Speech

Date: May 19, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Veterans Health and Health Care

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe Mental Health Awareness Month.

Approximately one in five Americans have a mental illness. That is roughly 43 million Americans. These invisible wounds are just as serious as physical ones, and it is vital we understand the health care needs of individuals living with mental illnesses.

Race, sex, age, gender--mental illnesses do not discriminate.

Many of the Americans who suffer from PTS and TBI are our veterans, our true heroes. As vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am familiar with their struggle. This is why I introduced the COVER Act, which recently passed in the Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee and which gives veterans choices to seek alternative therapies and treatments for PTS and TBI.

As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let us all remember: these invisible wounds deserve our attention as much as the physical ones.

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