Presidential Document2022-09760
National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2022
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 5, 2022
Signed
April 29, 2022
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26659-26660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09760]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 87 / Thursday, May 5, 2022 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 26659]]
Proclamation 10380 of April 29, 2022
National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2022
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Each May we raise awareness about the importance of
mental health and its impact on the well-being of all
Americans, including children, adults, families, and
communities across our Nation. We also give thanks to
the dedicated mental health providers whose service and
support improve the lives of so many Americans. We
stand in solidarity with those who are experiencing
mental health conditions, renewing our commitment to
providing them with the support they need and deserve.
Even before the pandemic, millions of Americans were
experiencing stress, trauma, anxiety, and heightened
levels of depression. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated
those conditions, creating an unprecedented mental
health crisis across our country. Communities of color,
frontline workers, health care workers, and individuals
with eating disorders have been disproportionately
impacted, and the rate of depression across the country
has more than tripled compared to rates in 2019.
Mental health challenges among our youth have also been
particularly acute due to disruptions in routines,
increased social isolation, and learning loss. Research
has shown that social media plays a central role in
increasing mental health challenges among young
people--especially young women. Emergency department
visits for attempted suicide among girls in 2021
increased by more than 50 percent compared to 2020.
American Indians, Alaska Natives, Black youth, and
LGBTQI+ youth also face a disproportionate risk of
suicide.
Despite these disturbing trends, less than half of
Americans struggling with mental illness receive the
treatment they need--even fewer within Black and Brown
communities. A variety of factors contribute to this
problem. For example, too many communities lack
sufficient numbers of mental health providers. Even
where there are enough mental health providers, our
fragmentated system makes it difficult for people to
access them. Tragically, too, many Americans feel
ashamed to reach out for help, or are stigmatized for
seeking care.
My Administration is committed to transforming mental
health care for all Americans. The American Rescue Plan
laid the groundwork for this effort, investing nearly
$5.5 billion nationwide to strengthen mental health and
substance use care. It also invested billions of
dollars in our Nation's schools, including mental
health treatment for students and staff.
But far more needs to be done. That is why in this
year's State of the Union Address, I outlined my vision
for bolder investments to address our national mental
health crisis. My strategy includes actions that will
broaden the pipeline of behavioral health professionals
in areas of greatest need, integrate mental health and
substance use treatment into primary care, and expand
access through more virtual care options.
In addition, last year the Surgeon General released an
Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health that
underscored the growing harms of digital technologies--
especially social media--on the mental health of our
youth. It is time to strengthen privacy protections,
ban targeted advertising to children,
[[Page 26660]]
and demand that technology companies stop collecting
the personal data of our children. We must also
continue researching the impact of social media on the
mental health of our children, expand services in
school to promote their well-being, and set them up for
success so they can thrive as adults.
As my Administration works to expand suicide prevention
and strengthen crisis care infrastructure within our
communities, those who need immediate assistance can
call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-
273-TALK--which will transition to a simple three-digit
number, 988, in July.
Each of us has an important role to play in supporting
our fellow Americans who are living with mental health
conditions. Learn the warning signs of emotional
distress and suicide. Engage affected loved ones in
supportive dialogue. Fight the prejudice and negative
attitudes that discourages those in need from seeking
mental health support. Above all, let us collectively
ensure that all children and adults experiencing mental
health challenges are treated with the compassion,
respect, and understanding they deserve.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as
National Mental Health Awareness Month. I call upon
citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-
profit organizations, and other groups to join in
activities and take action to strengthen the mental
health of our communities and our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
sixth.
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2022-09760
Filed 5-4-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 5, 2022.
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