Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 13 to 19, 2026, as "National Co-Responder and Crisis Clinician Week".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1534 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1534

 Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 13 to 
   19, 2026, as ``National Co-Responder and Crisis Clinician Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 14, 2026

  Mr. Evans of Colorado submitted the following resolution; which was 
      referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 13 to 
   19, 2026, as ``National Co-Responder and Crisis Clinician Week''.

Whereas behavioral health describes the emotions and behaviors that affect an 
        individual's overall well-being, including mental health disorders and 
        substance use;
Whereas the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 1 in 5 
        United States adults live with a mental illness;
Whereas widespread opioid use continues to impact the Nation;
Whereas behavioral health conditions may lead to homelessness, criminal charges, 
        and arrests and have a serious negative impact on communities;
Whereas the many issues created by mental illness, substance abuse, and 
        addiction are community problems at the local, State, and Federal 
        levels, including for law enforcement, fire services, and emergency 
        medical staff;
Whereas many communities have realized the need for additional resources to 
        address these issues more effectively when individuals are experiencing 
        crisis situations and have identified an evidence-based and effective 
        program called ``Co-Response'';
Whereas the co-responder model pairs law enforcement, fire services, and 
        emergency medical staff with behavioral health professionals to 
        intervene and respond to behavioral health-related calls for service;
Whereas these teams utilize the combined expertise of law enforcement, fire 
        services, and emergency medical staff with behavioral health 
        professionals to de-escalate situations and help link individuals 
        experiencing behavioral health issues to appropriate resources in their 
        communities including counseling, access to medications, medical 
        assisted treatment for alcohol and drug dependency, and access to 
        housing, food, basic necessities, and other similar resources;
Whereas co-response programs respond to thousands of emergency and non-emergency 
        calls for service each year, providing crisis intervention services and 
        helping people to get connected with the resources they need;
Whereas co-responders play an important role in the long-term community 
        engagement of their agencies and help law enforcement officers 
        effectively manage their caseload;
Whereas co-responders have shown exceptional commitment, dedication, leadership, 
        and passion to help those in need: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
designation of ``National Co-Responder and Crisis Clinician Week''.
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