[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26659-26660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09760]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 87 / Thursday, May 5, 2022 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 26659]]


                Proclamation 10380 of April 29, 2022

                
National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each May we raise awareness about the importance of 
                mental health and its impact on the well-being of all 
                Americans, including children, adults, families, and 
                communities across our Nation. We also give thanks to 
                the dedicated mental health providers whose service and 
                support improve the lives of so many Americans. We 
                stand in solidarity with those who are experiencing 
                mental health conditions, renewing our commitment to 
                providing them with the support they need and deserve.

                Even before the pandemic, millions of Americans were 
                experiencing stress, trauma, anxiety, and heightened 
                levels of depression. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated 
                those conditions, creating an unprecedented mental 
                health crisis across our country. Communities of color, 
                frontline workers, health care workers, and individuals 
                with eating disorders have been disproportionately 
                impacted, and the rate of depression across the country 
                has more than tripled compared to rates in 2019.

                Mental health challenges among our youth have also been 
                particularly acute due to disruptions in routines, 
                increased social isolation, and learning loss. Research 
                has shown that social media plays a central role in 
                increasing mental health challenges among young 
                people--especially young women. Emergency department 
                visits for attempted suicide among girls in 2021 
                increased by more than 50 percent compared to 2020. 
                American Indians, Alaska Natives, Black youth, and 
                LGBTQI+ youth also face a disproportionate risk of 
                suicide.

                Despite these disturbing trends, less than half of 
                Americans struggling with mental illness receive the 
                treatment they need--even fewer within Black and Brown 
                communities. A variety of factors contribute to this 
                problem. For example, too many communities lack 
                sufficient numbers of mental health providers. Even 
                where there are enough mental health providers, our 
                fragmentated system makes it difficult for people to 
                access them. Tragically, too, many Americans feel 
                ashamed to reach out for help, or are stigmatized for 
                seeking care.

                My Administration is committed to transforming mental 
                health care for all Americans. The American Rescue Plan 
                laid the groundwork for this effort, investing nearly 
                $5.5 billion nationwide to strengthen mental health and 
                substance use care. It also invested billions of 
                dollars in our Nation's schools, including mental 
                health treatment for students and staff.

                But far more needs to be done. That is why in this 
                year's State of the Union Address, I outlined my vision 
                for bolder investments to address our national mental 
                health crisis. My strategy includes actions that will 
                broaden the pipeline of behavioral health professionals 
                in areas of greatest need, integrate mental health and 
                substance use treatment into primary care, and expand 
                access through more virtual care options.

                In addition, last year the Surgeon General released an 
                Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health that 
                underscored the growing harms of digital technologies--
                especially social media--on the mental health of our 
                youth. It is time to strengthen privacy protections, 
                ban targeted advertising to children,

[[Page 26660]]

                and demand that technology companies stop collecting 
                the personal data of our children. We must also 
                continue researching the impact of social media on the 
                mental health of our children, expand services in 
                school to promote their well-being, and set them up for 
                success so they can thrive as adults.

                As my Administration works to expand suicide prevention 
                and strengthen crisis care infrastructure within our 
                communities, those who need immediate assistance can 
                call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-
                273-TALK--which will transition to a simple three-digit 
                number, 988, in July.

                Each of us has an important role to play in supporting 
                our fellow Americans who are living with mental health 
                conditions. Learn the warning signs of emotional 
                distress and suicide. Engage affected loved ones in 
                supportive dialogue. Fight the prejudice and negative 
                attitudes that discourages those in need from seeking 
                mental health support. Above all, let us collectively 
                ensure that all children and adults experiencing mental 
                health challenges are treated with the compassion, 
                respect, and understanding they deserve.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as 
                National Mental Health Awareness Month. I call upon 
                citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-
                profit organizations, and other groups to join in 
                activities and take action to strengthen the mental 
                health of our communities and our Nation.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2022-09760
Filed 5-4-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P