Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 22 through 26, 2023, as "Educator Mental Health Awareness Week".

Bill: 118-hres-436
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Introduced: 2023-05-22
Policy area: Education
Latest action: action_date: 2023-05-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-05-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution supports the designation of Educator Mental Health Awareness Week.</p>

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 436 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2023 Mr. Trone (for himself, Ms. Mace , Ms. Bonamici , Mr. Tonko , Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mrs. Napolitano , Ms. Chu , Ms. Sewell , Ms. Kaptur , Ms. Pettersen , Ms. Crockett , Mr. Moulton , Mrs. Watson Coleman , Mr. DeSaulnier , Mr. Kilmer , Mr. Ruppersberger , Ms. Brown , Mr. Crow , Ms. Lee of Nevada , Mr. Bowman , Mr. Cárdenas , Ms. Craig , and Ms. Porter ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 22 through 26, 2023, 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 COVID–19 pandemic illuminated preexisting challenges and caused an unprecedented transformation of our Nation’s education system; Whereas educators continue to exhibit resilience and a commitment to their students and school communities in spite of workforce challenges; Whereas educators 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 educational agencies; Whereas educators are still 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 on-site 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 22 through May 26, 2023, as Educator Mental Health Awareness Week : Now, therefore, be it

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.