Political Quotes

“As a cosponsor and senior member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5469, the ``Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019,'' which addresses mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color. According to Mental Health America, Black and African American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than White teenagers, and suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts have been rising in recent years. Furthermore, in the United States, over seven million people who identify as Black or African American reported having a mental illness in the past year. This legislation will combat the issue of suicide and mental health in youth from all communities by focusing on a few key areas: support in schools, scientific research, and increase funding in existing programs. Specifically, the bill provides $250 million to schools across the country, so they can have more culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services. The bill stipulates that priority will be given to schools with higher levels of poverty, to reducing the ratio of counselors to students and to helping more students of color. These grants will also provide training for teachers and other school staff, so they can better identify the signs of trauma, mental health disorders, and risk of suicide in all students. Additionally, H.R.…”