III 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 709 

Expressing support for the designation of May 2024 as ‘‘Mental Health 

Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 23, 2024 

Mr. LUJA ́N submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of May 2024 as 

‘‘Mental Health Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas millions of people in the United States face mental 

health challenges and have unmet mental health needs; 

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, mental health disorders are chronic conditions, and, without proper diagnosis and treatment, children can face problems at home and in school, which can 

interfere with the future development of those children; 

Whereas more resources should be dedicated in schools to the 

prevention, early detection, and treatment of mental 

health disorders in children; 

Whereas childhood depression is more likely to persist into 

adulthood if it is left untreated; 


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•SRES 709 IS 

Whereas it is important that the United States provides the 

necessary funding and resources to reach children and 

youth early on in life; 

Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic accelerated the use of digital technologies, such as social media; 

Whereas there has been a great concern about the impact of 

social media on the mental health of children and youth; 

Whereas social media exposes children to bullying, depression, 

anxiety, and self-harm; 

Whereas there is a strong need to further understand and 

deter any negative impact of social media on children and 

youth; 

Whereas disparities remain in access to mental health treatment for communities of color, with Asian, Native American, Hispanic, and Black individuals less likely to receive 

mental health care than their counterparts; 

Whereas suicide is a significant public health issue that can 

have an enduring impact on individuals and their communities; 

Whereas additional resources should be dedicated to the prevention of suicide in the United States; 

Whereas veterans are more likely to experience mental health 

challenges than civilians; 

Whereas it is important that the United States provides additional funding and resources to support veterans with 

mental health needs; and 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2024 as 

‘‘Mental Health Awareness Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 709 IS 

1 (1) supports the designation of May 2024 as 

2 ‘‘Mental Health Awareness Month’’ to remove the 

3 stigma associated with mental illness and place em4 phasis on scientific findings regarding mental health 

5 recovery; 

6 (2) declares mental health a national priority; 

7 (3) supports increasing access to mental health 

8 services; 

9 (4) recognizes that mental well-being is equally 

10 as important as physical well-being for the citizens, 

11 communities, schools, businesses, and economy of 

12 the United States; 

13 (5) applauds the coalescing of national, State, 

14 local, medical, and faith-based organizations in— 

15 (A) working to promote public awareness 

16 of mental health; and 

17 (B) providing critical information and sup18 port to individuals and families affected by 

19 mental illness; and 

20 (6) encourages all individuals to draw on ‘‘Men21 tal Health Awareness Month’’ as an opportunity to 

22 promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure ac23 cess to appropriate coverage and services, and supVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:36 May 24, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR709.IS SR709

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•SRES 709 IS 

1 port overall quality of life for those living with men2 tal illness. 

Æ 


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