IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 436 

Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 22 through 

26, 2023, as ‘‘Educator Mental Health Awareness Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 22, 2023 

Mr. TRONE (for himself, Ms. MACE, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. TONKO, Mr. 

FITZPATRICK, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. CHU, Ms. SEWELL, Ms. KAPTUR, 

Ms. PETTERSEN, Ms. CROCKETT, Mr. MOULTON, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. DESAULNIER, Mr. KILMER, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Ms. 

BROWN, Mr. CROW, Ms. LEE of Nevada, Mr. BOWMAN, Mr. CA ́RDENAS, 

Ms. CRAIG, and Ms. PORTER) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 

22 through 26, 2023, as ‘‘Educator Mental Health 

Awareness Week’’. 

Whereas educators such as teachers and school staff are 

foundational to the development of future generations of 

Americans; 

Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic illuminated preexisting 

challenges and caused an unprecedented transformation 

of our Nation’s education system; 


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•HRES 436 IH 

Whereas educators continue to exhibit resilience and a commitment to their students and school communities in 

spite of workforce challenges; 

Whereas educators are expected to meet the diverse academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of individual students while simultaneously meeting the demands of required accountability measures, conferencing 

with parents, and adapting to new programs and initiatives required by State and local educational agencies; 

Whereas educators are still experiencing secondary trauma 

and compassion fatigue; 

Whereas a 2021 survey found that since the start of the pandemic, 27 percent of teachers self-reported symptoms 

consistent with clinical depression, 37 percent self-reported symptoms consistent with anxiety disorder, and 19 

percent self-reported increased use of substances to cope 

with stress; 

Whereas a 2021 study found that teachers are almost twice 

as likely to experience frequent, job-related stress and 

nearly 3 times as likely to experience symptoms of depression than the general adult population; 

Whereas a 2021 report found that teachers are asking for 

more mental health training and resources, access to onsite therapeutic resources, and more time to both fulfill 

their professional responsibilities and to focus explicitly 

on their own mental health; 

Whereas a 2022 survey revealed that more than half of 

teachers said they were considering leaving the field or 

retiring, more now than they were before the pandemic; 


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•HRES 436 IH 

Whereas teacher well-being is often overlooked as a part of 

school health and a component of ensuring academic success; and 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe the week of May 

22 through May 26, 2023, as ‘‘Educator Mental Health 

Awareness Week’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Educator Men3 tal Health Awareness Week’’ to acknowledge the ex4 periences teachers and staff are facing each day and 

5 to prioritize their mental health; 

6 (2) recognizes every teacher and staff’s well7 being and mental health as important to the health 

8 of students nationwide; 

9 (3) applauds the unity of Federal, State, and 

10 local educational organizations working to promote 

11 public awareness of teacher and staff mental health 

12 and providing critical information and resources dur13 ing trying times; and 

14 (4) encourages all to draw on ‘‘Educator Men15 tal Health Awareness Week’’ as an opportunity to 

16 promote mental well-being and awareness, not only 

17 for the educators of today, but also for their stu18 dents, our leaders of tomorrow. 

Æ 


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