Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I would like to talk today about a health epidemic that is claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year. I am speaking about the epidemic of suicide. I will talk more about this in detail in a moment, but if there is one thing I would like those listening to my remarks to remember is the number 9-8-8--9-8-8, because 9-8-8 is a three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you need help, please dial 9-8-8. Over the last several years, we have all observed the increasing mental health needs in our country. Indeed, the isolation of the COVID- 19 pandemic made those needs more pronounced, particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults. In October 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association--organizations representing experts in children's mental health--declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. According to these organizations, ``Rates of childhood mental health concerns and suicide rose steadily between 2010 and 2020 and by 2018 suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10- 24.…”