Political Quotes

“May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Mental Health America organization began this campaign in 1949 in an effort to raise awareness of mental health conditions and mental wellness. Even after more than 60 years, however, we are still fighting against the stigma of mental illness and for greater access to mental health services for all Americans. I would like to call particular attention to mental health issues affecting our Active-Duty service men and women, our veterans, and the impact of these issues on thousands of military families. The protracted military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have made mental health disorders some of the ``signature'' wounds our military members experience upon returning from these conflicts. A comprehensive study by RAND found that approximately 18.5 percent of those returning from deployment reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of post- traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, or depression. And up to 30 percent of troops returning home from combat develop serious mental health problems within 3 to 4 months. Unfortunately, due to the stigma associated with seeking help and the fear of risking their careers, our service men and women often do not seek the care they desperately need and are entitled to receive. In fact, according to a recent Department of Defense, DoD, report, mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability among U.S. military members.…”