Title: 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.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the importance of World Mental Health Day and affirms the continued support of the United States to address mental health issues across countries and income levels, particularly in countries affected by conflict and disaster.
Futher, it calls on relevant agencies to integrate mental health and psychosocial perspectives into their work, honors the importance of trained mental health workers, commends the dedication of those who work to improve the mental health of individuals and societies, and commends the contributions of individuals who have lived experience of mental health disorders.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1185 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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, development contexts, and humanitarian settings.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 9, 2020

Mr. Cardenas (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 committee 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 intertwined, and there is no 
        health without mental health;
Whereas mental health is essential to achieve the full potential of individuals 
        within societies, and mental health disorders 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 disease 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 disease burden independent of income 
        level of their countries of residence;
Whereas nearly 2,200 suicide deaths occur each day globally;
Whereas for each completed suicide, 20 more individuals attempt 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 bipolar 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;
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 experiences, 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, economic development, and political 
        stability of the population, 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, 
        developmentally, and linguistically appropriate, building local human 
        resource capacity, and strengthening health systems: 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 countries and income 
        levels, in particular in nations affected 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 Administrator of 
        the United States Agency for International Development, and the 
        heads of other relevant agencies to integrate mental health and 
        psychosocial perspectives into their work in order to improve 
        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 societies, and the important 
        contributions and bravery of individuals globally who have 
        lived experience of mental health disorders.
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