Political Quotes

“I rise today in recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month to fight the stigma associated with mental illness that discourages people from seeking help and raise awareness of disparities in access to mental health services. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that while only 6 percent of Americans suffer from a serious mental illness, over a quarter of adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. These illnesses--depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, phobias, personality and body image disorders, and substance addictions--are real diseases with proven treatments. Mental health determines how we make decisions, handle stress, and relate to others, consequently affecting our relationships with our families, our colleagues, and our communities. Normally defined as how one thinks, feels, behaves, and copes, mental health is as integral to our well-being as our physical health. However, mental health disorders are chronically underdiagnosed and undertreated. While public education and awareness campaigns can go a long way in addressing the stigma associated with mental health disorders, improved access to high-quality mental health care should be a national priority.”