Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 22 through 26, 2023, as "Educator Mental Health Awareness Week".

Subjects: Education


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 436 Introduced in House (IH)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






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. Cardenas, 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;
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 on-site 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;
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Educator Mental Health 
        Awareness Week'' to acknowledge the experiences teachers and 
        staff are facing each day and to prioritize their mental 
        health;
            (2) recognizes every teacher and staff's well-being and 
        mental health as important to the health of students 
        nationwide;
            (3) applauds the unity of Federal, State, and local 
        educational organizations working to promote public awareness 
        of teacher and staff mental health and providing critical 
        information and resources during trying times; and
            (4) encourages all to draw on ``Educator Mental Health 
        Awareness Week'' as an opportunity to promote mental well-being 
        and awareness, not only for the educators of today, but also 
        for their students, our leaders of tomorrow.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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