Patrick Kennedy: “we have talked a lot about making sure that we not overlook those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.…”

“we have talked a lot about making sure that we not overlook those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy. Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this bill, but also just to say we should make sure that we do not overlook those significant numbers of people that have been traumatized by this terrible event. The mental health impact of this horrifying event, it cannot be measured in dollars. If trauma can disable even those who are trained for battle, we have seen police officers commit suicide already because of what they have witnessed, who can begin to even calculate the fallout on those who are most vulnerable, those who suffered trauma in the past, those who deal with mental illness every single day? In addition, there is an extreme need for those with mental illnesses who have become evacuees themselves. Untreated, their diseases can be debilitating or even fatal under extreme stress. I know that efforts are under way by SAMPHSA and FEMA and many private organizations to meet the mental health needs today and in the future, but I also know that there are never enough resources when it comes to mental health, even in the best of times. So I look forward to working with the committee to make sure that these and other needs are met in this bill.”