IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 401 
Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 11, 2006 
Mrs. NAPOLITANO (for herself, Mr. MURPHY, and Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Is-
land) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month, 
and for other purposes. 
Whereas approximately 54 million Americans have a mental 
problem or illness; 
Whereas untreated and mistreated mental illness problems 
cost the United States $105 billion in lost productivity; 
Whereas the total yearly cost for mental illness in the private 
and public sectors in the United States is over $200 bil-
lion; 
Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among 
people under 24 years old after accidents and homicide; 
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•HCON 401 IH
Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents, more than any other 
group of teens, report having seriously considered com-
mitting suicide; 
Whereas an astounding 80 percent of young people entering 
the juvenile justice system have a mental disorder; 
Whereas 19.1 percent of service members returning from 
Iraq and 11.3 percent of service members returning from 
Afghanistan reported a mental health problem; 
Whereas over 35 percent of Iraq veterans received mental 
health care during their first year home; 
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services esti-
mates that nearly half a million Hurricane Katrina sur-
vivors may need mental health services; 
Whereas phone calls to the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) suicide hot-
line have nearly doubled in the aftermath of Hurricane 
Katrina; 
Whereas major depression is a leading cause of death and 
disability among women between the ages of 40 and 55 
and the second-highest of men; 
Whereas every year untreated depression results in lost pro-
ductivity and worker absenteeism for American busi-
nesses; 
Whereas the Congress saves money and lives by investing in 
effective mental health programs, while allowing the sta-
tus quo results in unnecessary costs, disability, and pre-
mature death; and 
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2006 as 
Mental Health Month: Now, therefore, be it 
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Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Mental 
Health Month in order to place emphasis on the 
facts and the scientific literature regarding mental 
health and attempts to remove stigma associated 
therewith; 
(2) recognizes that mental well-being is equally 
as important as physical well being for our citizens, 
for communities, and for our businesses; 
(3) applauds the recent coalescing of national 
and community organizations and their great work 
in promoting public awareness and providing critical 
information and support to people dealing with this 
crippling illness and their families; 
(4) supports President Bush’s Commission on 
Mental Health’s finding that the Nation’s failure to 
prioritize mental health is a national tragedy; and 
(5) urges all organizations and health practi-
tioners to use this opportunity to promote mental 
well-being awareness, ensure access to appropriate 
services, and support overall quality of life for those 
living with mental illness. 
Æ 
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