Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as "Mental Health Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of Mental Health Awareness Month and declares mental health a national priority.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 254 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 254

 Expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as ``Mental Health 
                           Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 27, 2021

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of May 2021 as ``Mental Health 
                           Awareness Month''.

Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (``COVID-19'') public health emergency has 
        taken a toll on the mental well-being of the people of the United States 
        and may be stressful for many people of the United States;
Whereas the people of the United States have witnessed how fear and anxiety 
        about a disease can be overwhelming and contribute to strong emotions in 
        both adults and children;
Whereas the Joint Economic Committee of Congress released a report in October of 
        2020 on COVID-19 and how it has worsened the mental health crisis in the 
        United States;
Whereas the September 2020 Census Bureau survey found that 37 percent of adults 
        in the United States reported symptoms of anxiety or depression 
        disorder, triple the percentage reported in 2019;
Whereas the August 14, 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
        (referred to in this preamble ``CDC'') Morbidity and Mortality Weekly 
        Report stated that--

    (1) symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder increased 
considerably in the United States during the period of April to June of 
2020 compared with the same period in 2019; and

    (2) during late June 2020--

    G    (A) 40 percent of adults in the United States reported struggling 
with mental health or substance use;

    G    (B) nearly 31 percent experienced symptoms of anxiety or 
depression;

    G    (C) 26 percent experienced symptoms of trauma- and stressor-
related disorders (``TSRD'');

    G    (D) 13 percent started or increased substance use; and

    G    (E) nearly 11 percent seriously considered suicide;

    (3) 25 percent of young adults aged 18 to 24 years old reported they 
started or had increased substance use during the pandemic, compared to 13 
percent of all adults;

    (4) 26 percent of young adults aged 18 to 24 years old reported 
thoughts of suicide, compared to 11 percent of all adults;

    (5) nearly 41 percent of Hispanic respondents reported symptoms 
consistent with an anxiety or depressive disorder, nearly 35 percent 
experienced COVID-19 related TSRD, and nearly 22 percent increased 
substance use to cope with pandemic stress and emotions;

    (6) nearly 30 percent of Black, non-Hispanic respondents reported 
symptoms consistent with an anxiety or depressive disorder, more than 30 
percent experienced COVID-19 related TSRD, and more than 18 percent 
increased substance use to cope with pandemic stress and emotions; and

    (7) 18 percent of Asian, non-Hispanic respondents reported symptoms 
consistent with an anxiety or depressive disorder, 22 percent experienced 
COVID-19 related TSRD, and more than 6 percent increased substance use to 
cope with pandemic stress and emotions;

Whereas according to the American Psychological Association, in 2020--

    (1) nearly 1 in 5 adults saw their mental health worsen in the last 
year; and

    (2) 61 percent of adults stated they could have used more emotional 
support than they received over the prior 12 months;

Whereas there was a 1,000-percent increase in text messages in April 2020 on a 
        Federal text emergency hotline for people in emotional distress;
Whereas according to the Pew Research Center, more than one-third of people in 
        the United States have experienced high levels of psychological distress 
        at some point during the extended period of social distancing;
Whereas the Census Bureau 2020 Household Pulse Survey found that--

    (1) in December 2020, 47 percent of women reported symptoms of anxiety 
or depressive disorder compared to 38 percent of men; and

    (2) as of December 2020, 56 percent of young adults have reported 
symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder;

Whereas the November 13, 2020, CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found 
        that between March 2020 and October 2020 there was a 24-percent increase 
        nationwide in mental health related emergency room visits among children 
        between the ages of 5 and 11 and a 31-percent increase among those 
        between 12 and 17, compared with the same period in 2019;
Whereas 74 percent of LGBT people stated that worry and stress from the pandemic 
        has had a negative impact on their mental health, compared to 49 percent 
        of those who are not LGBT;
Whereas the February 5, 2021, CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found 
        that current symptoms of depression were reported 59 percent more 
        frequently by Hispanic adults than by White, non-Hispanic adults;
Whereas a survey found that in May 2020, 20 percent of Latinos surveyed were 
        experiencing anxiety and 15.7 percent of Latinos were experiencing 
        increased stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown;
Whereas, from June 2020 to September 2020, 93 percent of health care workers 
        were experiencing stress, 86 percent were experiencing anxiety, 76 
        percent reported exhaustion and burnout, 75 percent said they were 
        overwhelmed, and 39 percent said they did not feel like they had 
        adequate emotional support;
Whereas, in 2020, a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that 42 percent of 
        essential workers surveyed reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or 
        depressive disorder, 25 percent started or increased substance use to 
        cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19, and 22 percent 
        considered suicide in the past 30 days; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2021 as ``Mental Health Awareness 
        Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Mental Health Awareness 
        Month'' to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and 
        place emphasis on scientific findings regarding mental health 
        recovery;
            (2) declares mental health a national priority;
            (3) recognizes mental well-being is equally as important as 
        physical well-being for citizens, communities, schools, 
        businesses, and the economy in the United States;
            (4) applauds the coalescing of national, State, local, 
        medical, and faith-based organizations in working to promote 
        public awareness of mental health and providing critical 
        information and support during this pandemic to individuals and 
        families affected by mental illness; and
            (5) encourages all to draw on ``Mental Health Awareness 
        Month'' as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and 
        awareness, ensure access to appropriate services and care, and 
        support overall quality of life for those living with mental 
        illness.
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