Grace Napolitano: “I would like to thank both the congresswoman from California (Ms. Matsui) and the congressman from South Carolina (Mr.…”

“I would like to thank both the congresswoman from California (Ms. Matsui) and the congressman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) for talking about H. Res. 1258, recognizing May as Mental Health Month. As you've heard, there are many instances where we ignore this fact, and we are currently trying to erase the stigma. That's the biggest issue that we have in the United States. Today we must continue to shed light on those who suffer in silence with mental illness. It knows no boundaries. As you've heard, it goes into any race, any gender, any class, any religion, any political party, everywhere. It does not discriminate. Every day our children, our soldiers, our veterans, our family members, our coworkers and friends carry their wounds and pain on the inside. It is an invisible illness that often goes unseen and unmentioned, even as it leaves a trail of devastation in its wake. Recent reports show that military suicide has claimed more lives of our servicemen and -women than the Afghan war, and that approximately one in five servicemembers suffer from major depression or post-traumatic syndrome.”