Political Quotes

“besides May being National Foster Care Month, it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. This month of May gives us an opportunity to increase public awareness about the challenges faced by those struggling with mental illness. It also encourages us to consider reforms to policies that affect these individuals as well as their friends and family members. Almost one in five adults in the United States copes with mental illness in any given year, and roughly 20 million Americans struggle with substance abuse disorder, and less than half will get the treatment that they need. In the 114th Congress, the previous one, I cosponsored and led the Judiciary Committee in approving legislation to update and extend the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act. Up to half of our Nation's prison population may suffer from mental illness. Jails and prisons hold 10 times as many people with mental illness than hospitals do, according to the National Sheriffs' Association. In the 115th Congress, I introduced and led the Senate in adopting reforms to tackle substance abuse, mental health, and other issues that may drive children and teenagers into the juvenile justice system. These reforms, which recently were enacted as part of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, encourages States to devote Federal grants to improving treatment of juvenile offenders with mental illness and substance abuse.…”