Title: Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 23 through 27, 2022, as "Educator Mental Health Awareness Week".
Policy area: Education

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of Educator Mental Health Awareness Week.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1141 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1141

 Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 23 through 
        27, 2022, as ``Educator Mental Health Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 24, 2022

Mr. Trone (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Ms. McCollum, Mr. 
Tonko, Ms. Adams, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Mace, Mrs. Napolitano, Mrs. 
Lee of Nevada, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Smith 
 of Washington, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Raskin, Ms. Norton, 
Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. O'Halleran, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. 
     Sewell, Ms. Meng, Ms. Chu, Mr. Cardenas, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. 
 Velazquez, and Mr. Moulton) submitted the following resolution; which 
          was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 23 through 
        27, 2022, as ``Educator Mental Health Awareness Week''.

Whereas educators such as teachers and school staff are foundational to the 
        development of future generations of Americans;
Whereas the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused an unprecedented 
        transformation of our Nation's education system;
Whereas teachers exhibited resilience during challenges, strength in times of 
        uncertainty, and an unwavering commitment to innovative pedagogical 
        protocols and strategies for emergency deployed remote instruction;
Whereas teachers are expected to meet the diverse academic, social, emotional, 
        and behavioral needs of individual students while simultaneously meeting 
        the demands of required accountability measures, conferencing with 
        parents, and adapting to new programs and initiatives required by State 
        and local education agencies;
Whereas teachers are experiencing secondary trauma and compassion fatigue;
Whereas a 2021 survey found that since the start of the pandemic, 27 percent of 
        teachers self-reported symptoms consistent with clinical depression, 37 
        percent self-reported symptoms consistent with anxiety disorder, and 19 
        percent self-reported increased use of substances to cope with stress;
Whereas a 2021 study found that teachers are almost twice as likely to 
        experience frequent job-related stress and nearly 3 times as likely to 
        experience symptoms of depression than the general adult population;
Whereas a 2021 report found that teachers are asking for more mental health 
        training and resources, access to onsite therapeutic resources, and more 
        time to both fulfill their professional responsibilities and to focus 
        explicitly on their own mental health;
Whereas a 2022 survey revealed that more than half of teachers said they were 
        considering leaving the field or retiring more now than they were before 
        the pandemic;
Whereas teacher well-being is often overlooked as a part of school health and a 
        component of ensuring academic success; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe the week of May 23 through May 27, 
        2022, as ``Educator Mental Health Awareness Week'': Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Educator Mental Health 
        Awareness Week'' to acknowledge the experiences teachers and 
        staff are facing each day and to prioritize their mental 
        health;
            (2) recognizes every teacher and staff's well-being and 
        mental health as important to the health of students 
        nationwide;
            (3) applauds the unity of Federal, State, and local 
        educational organizations working to promote public awareness 
        of teacher and staff mental health and providing critical 
        information and resources during trying times; and
            (4) encourages all to draw on ``Educator Mental Health 
        Awareness Week'' as an opportunity to promote mental well-being 
        and awareness, not only for the educators of today, but also 
        for their students, our leaders of tomorrow.
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