RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

On 2026-05-19, Representative Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH" in the House.

RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)] [House] [Page H3557] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. In the Virgin Islands and across this Nation, too many suffer in silence, carrying the weight of depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief, without access to care. I fought to bring real resources to my home, including $2.7 million in mental health and wellness funding for health recovery services, wellness programming, emergency shelter, and victim services for St. Thomas and St. John. For St. Croix, I have secured another $2 million for community wellness expansion, youth violence intervention, and hurricane recovery for our boys' and girls' centers. Mental illness is not a weakness, and mental health is not a luxury. Natural disasters, economic strain, and geographic isolation have compounded the mental health crisis in the Virgin Islands, which we cannot afford to ignore. Mr. Speaker, access to quality mental health care must be treated as a right and not a privilege, and as an imperative to our entire community. To anyone struggling, you are not alone. Asking for help is an act of courage. ____________________