A bipartisan resolution led by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) seeks to increase public awareness about the emotional health and mental wellness challenges faced by America’s children and teenagers.
“America’s youth are in crisis,” Rep. Kim said. “We must ensure children receive adequate care and the therapeutic and educational resources they need to achieve their dream.”
The congresswoman on Sept. 20 sponsored House Resolution (H.Res.) 1481 with lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to recognize September as National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month.
The lawmakers cited information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that reports one in five children in the United States struggle with an emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder, and only 20 percent of them receive specialized care and treatment.
“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and investing in parents, the pediatric mental health workforce, and targeted programming improves children’s emotional wellness outcomes and livelihoods across American communities,” said Rep. Kim.
If enacted, H.Res. 1481 would express the concern of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the rising rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety among American children and teenagers; thank America’s pediatric and mental health workforce and nonprofit organizations for improving children’s emotional well-being and providing services to address the needs of children and their families; and support maternal and paternal mental health care as an effective means of promoting a child’s emotional and mental health, according to the text of the resolution.
“Children who have access to help can thrive,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “All that is required is for us to break through the partisan gridlock and get them the care they need. This resolution is an important step toward that goal.”
The Children and Families Coalition of Orange County (Calif.), the What to Expect Project, and the Extraordinary Lives Foundation are among supporters of the bill.