Title: A resolution supporting the designation of the week of May 1, 2022, as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" and May 5, 2022, as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Day".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the importance of connecting children with appropriate mental health services and supports programs for expanding access to care, building resiliency, and addressing trauma.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 607 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 607

Supporting the designation of the week of May 1, 2022, as ``Children's 
Mental Health Awareness Week'' and May 5, 2022, as ``Children's Mental 
                        Health Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 2, 2022

     Mr. King (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the designation of the week of May 1, 2022, as ``Children's 
Mental Health Awareness Week'' and May 5, 2022, as ``Children's Mental 
                        Health Awareness Day''.

Whereas children in the United States were already experiencing a public health 
        crisis of mental and behavioral health before the additional challenges 
        of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas a 2013 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
        estimated that mental disorders affect between 13 and 20 percent of 
        children each year and cost $247,000,000,000 annually;
Whereas the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly \1/2\ of 
        adolescents (49.5 percent of the population aged 13 to 18) will 
        experience a mental disorder;
Whereas, in 2019, according to the Census Bureau, over 11 percent of children 
        aged 3 to 17 received treatment or counseling from a mental health 
        professional;
Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 24, and 
        90 percent of youth suicide deaths involve an underlying mental illness;
Whereas, during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased isolation and collective trauma 
        has led to an increase in demand for mental health services for 
        children;
Whereas, compared with 2019, the proportion of visits of children to emergency 
        rooms for concerns relating to mental health increased between 
        approximately 24 and 31 percent;
Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the inequities in the mental health 
        delivery system for all populations in the United States, specifically 
        impacting children and adults who have been exposed to adverse childhood 
        experiences; and
Whereas the stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health persists, and 
        acknowledging this public health crisis and creating awareness as early 
        as possible is as important as ever: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the importance of connecting children with 
        appropriate mental and behavioral health services and supports;
            (2) seeks to create awareness for the additional challenges 
        children and their families have faced during the COVID-19 
        pandemic due to isolation from family and peers, barriers to 
        services, and exposure to traumas;
            (3) supports programs and services aimed at expanding 
        access to care, building resiliency, and addressing trauma; and
            (4) shows appreciation and gratitude for family members, 
        friends, educators, mental and behavioral health service 
        providers, and others in their support for the mental health 
        and well-being of children.
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