IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 811 
Expressing support for the designation of November 18, 2021, as ‘‘National 
Rural Mental Health Day’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 18, 2021 
Mr. EMMER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee 
on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of November 18, 
2021, as ‘‘National Rural Mental Health Day’’. 
Whereas the National Institute of Mental Health reported in 
2019 that mental health disorders affected more than 
50,000,000 Americans, with more than 13,000,000 fac-
ing a serious mental health disorder; 
Whereas, according to the National Alliance on Mental Ill-
ness, 
serious 
mental 
illness 
results 
in 
nearly 
$200,000,000,000 in lost earnings each year; 
Whereas mental health disorders, if untreated, can result 
in— 
(1) substance abuse or substance use disorder; 
(2) unemployment; 
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•HRES 811 IH 
(3) homelessness; 
(4) suicide; 
(5) incarceration; or 
(6) long-term physical health deterioration; 
Whereas, according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug 
Use and Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration, mental health disorders 
are 
prevalent 
in 
rural 
America, 
affecting 
nearly 
7,000,000 individuals in nonmetropolitan areas; 
Whereas the National Center for Health Statistics reported 
the 2017 suicide rate for the most rural counties was 1.8 
times higher than the suicide rate for the most urban 
counties; 
Whereas there is a chronic shortage of mental health profes-
sionals in rural areas; 
Whereas rural residents often travel long distances to receive 
services and are frequently seen by providers who are less 
likely to recognize a mental illness; 
Whereas rural residents suffering from mental illness may be 
more susceptible to negative public attitudes in small 
communities; 
Whereas data from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Planning and Evaluation of the Department of Health 
and Human Services show that uninsured rates in rural 
areas have been 2 to 3 percentage points higher than in 
urban areas over the 2010 to 2019 period; and 
Whereas, to improve mental health services and delivery in 
rural America, the United States must first raise greater 
public awareness of the current challenges: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 811 IH 
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Rural 
Mental Health Day’’; 
(2) commits to addressing disparities in mental 
health care across the country, including in rural 
America; and 
(3) maintains continued support for the Farm 
and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and other 
programs that aid struggling individuals in United 
States rural communities. 
Æ 
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