IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1185 
Recognizing the importance of mental health globally and highlighting the 
contributions and value of mental health, well-being, psychosocial support, 
and human capacity, particularly in areas of economic inequity, develop-
ment contexts, and humanitarian settings. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 9, 2020 
Mr. CA´RDENAS (for himself, Mr. FITZPATRICK, and Mr. KENNEDY) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the importance of mental health globally and 
highlighting the contributions and value of mental health, 
well-being, psychosocial support, and human capacity, 
particularly in areas of economic inequity, development 
contexts, and humanitarian settings. 
Whereas, on October 10, 2020, World Mental Health Day is 
observed; 
Whereas mental and physical health are inseparably inter-
twined, and there is no health without mental health; 
Whereas mental health is essential to achieve the full poten-
tial of individuals within societies, and mental health dis-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:56 Oct 10, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1185.IH
HR1185
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1185 IH 
orders can affect the ability of an individual to carry out 
daily tasks, establish or maintain relationships, or pursue 
other fundamental endeavors; 
Whereas mental health disorders and substance use disorders 
are the leading causes of disability globally; 
Whereas depression is the leading cause of nonfatal disease 
burden globally and in the top five leading causes of dis-
ease burden globally, and by 2030, depression will be the 
leading cause of disease burden in low-income countries 
and the second highest cause of disease burden in middle- 
income countries; 
Whereas depression has a particularly negative impact on 
women, for whom depression is the leading cause of dis-
ease burden independent of income level of their coun-
tries of residence; 
Whereas nearly 2,200 suicide deaths occur each day globally; 
Whereas for each completed suicide, 20 more individuals at-
tempt to commit suicide; 
Whereas up to 90 percent of individuals who commit suicide 
have a diagnosable mental health disorder; 
Whereas serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bi-
polar disorder, affects between 13 and 37 percent of the 
population of the world and is extremely debilitating; 
Whereas the global cost of mental health disorders was 
$2,500,000,000,000 in 2010 and is projected to increase 
to nearly $16,000,000,000,000 by 2030, but the total 
amount of development assistance for global mental 
health was only $134,000,000 between 2007 and 2013, 
less than 1 percent of all development assistance; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:56 Oct 10, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1185.IH
HR1185
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1185 IH 
Whereas in high-income countries, approximately 20 percent 
of individuals afflicted with mental health disorders do 
not receive appropriate mental health care; 
Whereas in low-income countries, as many as 90 percent of 
individuals afflicted with serious mental health disorders 
do not receive appropriate mental health care; 
Whereas traumatic events and losses are common experi-
ences, especially among those who live through societal 
conflict, and may— 
(1) double the incidence of mental health disorders; 
(2) result in intense suffering and dysfunction; and 
(3) require mental health treatment; 
Whereas integrating mental health and psychosocial support 
into health and social sectors improves the health, eco-
nomic development, and political stability of the popu-
lation, builds the capacity of staff and health facilities, 
and creates nonstigmatizing mental health services; and 
Whereas there is an urgent need to create readily accessible, 
high-quality mental health services in line with national 
and global guidelines by designing and implementing 
comprehensive programs that are culturally, develop-
mentally, and linguistically appropriate, building local 
human resource capacity, and strengthening health sys-
tems: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the importance of World Mental 
Health Day; 
(2) affirms the continued support of the United 
States to address mental health issues across coun-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:56 Oct 10, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR1185.IH
HR1185
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1185 IH 
tries and income levels, in particular in nations af-
fected by conflict and disaster; 
(3) honors the importance of trained mental 
health workers as they enhance human well-being 
and mental health, restore functioning, and save 
lives by contributing to high-quality, context-relevant 
mental health and psychosocial support services; 
(4) calls on the Secretary of State, the Admin-
istrator of the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development, and the heads of other rel-
evant agencies to integrate mental health and psy-
chosocial perspectives into their work in order to im-
prove the quality of life of individuals living with 
mental health disorders; and 
(5) commends the dedication of organizations, 
professionals, and volunteers globally who work to 
improve the mental health of individuals and soci-
eties, and the important contributions and bravery 
of individuals globally who have lived experience of 
mental health disorders. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:56 Oct 10, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR1185.IH
HR1185
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS