Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month

Floor Speech

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Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Mental Health Awareness Month to talk about something that impacts every family in this country.

Whether it is struggling ourselves or someone we know, all of us have been touched by mental health challenges. Far too often, people don't have access to the critical care that they need.

For me, it was my brother Justin. After years of struggling and falling through the cracks, we lost him to suicide in 2008. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him.

Justin was one of the smartest people I have known. He was passionate, an avid reader, and was working to become a history teacher. He had recently been married and had his entire life ahead of him.

Through all the moments of our lives, big and small, our family grieves that he is not with us today.

Mr. Speaker, the most important thing we can do to reduce the stigma is to tell our stories, and that is why I am here telling mine.

To the individuals and the families who are struggling in this country, I want you to know that you are not alone, and there are so many of us here in Congress who are not going to stop fighting for you.

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