West SGV News

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional Mental Health Caucus Co-Chairs, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-31) and Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT-02) introduced with 71 of their colleagues H.Res. 372, a bipartisan resolution to recognize May 2023 as National Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Mental Health Awareness Month is a critical time to continue our work to increase funding for life-saving mental health services, to raise public awareness, and to encourage all those in need to seek help. As the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and added additional stressors that have significantly strained our mental health and well-being, we continue to see a rise in reports of loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide. We must all do our part in spreading hope, reducing stigma, and a sending a clear message that it is always okay to ask for help,” Napolitano said. “This month and every month, I encourage all to get involved, educate themselves, and share resources with friends, colleagues, and family. I thank my co-chair, Congressman Stewart, and all of our colleagues for supporting this resolution to elevate the issue of mental health in the halls of Congress and across our districts.”

“Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity that American can’t afford to miss,” said Rep. Stewart. “We’re in the middle of an unprecedented mental health crisis, and it’s necessary that we elevate the conversation around this all-important issue. We can end the stigma of mental health, improve critical resources for those in need, and find bipartisan solutions – the Mental Health Caucus is proof of our progress. But the fight is far from over, and we can only hope for a healthier nation if we all do our collective duty to raise awareness.”

Napolitano and Stewart were joined in introducing the resolution by: Reps: Don Bacon (R-NE-02); Becca Balint (D-VT); Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44); Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03); Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE); Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01); Julia Brownley (D-CA-26); Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13); Cori Bush (D-MO-01); Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29); Andre Carson (D-IN-07); Kathy Castor (D-FL-14); Judy Chu (D-CA-28); Emanuel Cleaver  (D-MO-05); Steve Cohen (D-TN-09); J. Luis Correa (D-CA-46); Jim Costa (D-CA-21); Angie Craig (D-MN-02); Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28); Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10); Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06); Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37); Anna Eshoo (D-CA-16), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13); Dwight Evans (D-PA-03); Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01); Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL-04); Josh Harder (D-CA-09); Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05); Brian Higgins (D-NY-26); Val T. Hoyle (D-OR-04); Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18); Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37); Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09); Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06); Andy Kim (D-NJ-03); Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08); Barbara Lee (D-CA-12); Susie Lee (D-NV-03); Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08); Doris O. Matsui (D-CA-07); Betty McCollum (D-MN-04); James P. McGovern (D-MA-02); Gwen Moore (D-WI-04); Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23); Seth Moulton (D-MA-06); Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12); Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01); Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC); Scott Peters (D-CA-50); Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07); Katie Porter (D-CA-47); Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08); Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25); Gregori Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP); Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06); Adam Schiff (D-CA-30); Bradley Schneider (D-IL-10); Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17); Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13); Mike Thompson (D-CA-04); Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS-02); Dina Titus (D-NV-01); Jill N. Tokuda (D-HI-02); Paul Tonko (D-NY-20); Norma Torres (D-CA-25); Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15); Lori Trahan (D-MA-03); David J. Trone (D-MD-06); Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07); Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).

Since 1949, May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when advocates and activists across the country draw attention to the mental health issues that affect as many as one in four Americans. Today, more people die from suicide in the United States than from traffic accidents or homicides, and we lose 17-18 veterans to suicide daily.

Unfortunately, because of the stigma associated with mental illness, many people are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek the help they need for themselves or their loved ones. National Mental Health Awareness Month is a time when we work together to break through that stigma. We express compassion for those who struggle with mental health issues, and we draw attention to the proven methods that can help change their lives for the better.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.

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Mental Health 

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