Salinas, Bacon, Beyer, Gonzales Lead Bipartisan Resolution to Designate May as Mental Health Awareness Month

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), Donald Beyer (VA-08), and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) – the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus – led 39 of their colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to designate May 2025 as National Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Along with my fellow Co-Chairs in the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, I’m proud to introduce this resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month,” said Rep. Salinas. “At a time when 23% of American adults struggle with mental health challenges, it’s critically important that we work together to reduce the stigma, raise awareness, and expand access to quality, affordable care. Our Caucus is committed to finding commonsense solutions that will move us closer to that goal and put an end to America’s mental health crisis.”

“As someone whose family has been impacted by mental health, I know we have a real need for increased access to care, improved infrastructure and reduced stigma surrounding mental illness,” said Rep. Bacon. “By recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, hopefully we can highlight the need to invest in mental health care and ensure access to treatment for those experiencing mental health crises.”

“Mental health is an issue that touches most families. Tens of millions of Americans report symptoms of anxiety or depression, and suicide is one of the top causes of death in the U.S,” said Rep. Beyer. “Recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month has long helped to put a spotlight on this topic, to help people realize they are not alone, and to bring together those of us who seek solutions. I will continue working with colleagues in both parties to do all I can to improve mental health in this country."  

Along with Reps. Salinas, Bacon, Beyer, and Gonzales, the resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Sean Casten (IL-06), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jim Costa (CA-21), Madeline Dean (PA-04), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Pablo Hernández (PR-AL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

The resolution is endorsed by the following organizations, in alphabetical order: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), American Counseling Association (ACA), American Psychological Association (APA), Mental Health America (MHA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Young Invincibles.

Since 1949, May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when advocates and activists across the country draw attention to the mental health issues that affect as many as one in four Americans. Today, more people die from suicide in the United States than from traffic accidents or homicides, and we lose at least 17 veterans to suicide daily.

Unfortunately, because of the stigma associated with mental illness, many people do not seek the help they need for themselves or their loved ones. National Mental Health Awareness Month is a time when we work together to break through that stigma and to find real, bipartisan solutions for Americans to access the affordable, high-quality care they need. We express compassion for those who struggle with mental health issues, and we draw attention to the proven methods that can help change their lives for the better.

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