May 21, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 85 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S2999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                 National Mental Health Awareness Month

  Madam President, I rise today, along with many of my colleagues, in 
recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month.
  We on the Senate Agriculture Committee have worked extensively on 
mental health issues, fighting for improved mental health services and 
mental health parity, especially in our rural and smalltown areas. We 
have made great strides over the years in improving access to mental 
health services and eliminating the stigma of seeking treatment. 
However, as we continue to see violent tragedies around the country 
resulting from individuals with mental illness, or even solely looking 
at suicide rates, which continue to increase--let me point out that in 
Kansas, there were over 500 suicides in 2016 alone. If the figures were 
available, I am sure that would be increased, especially with the 
problems we have in farm country, where we are going through a very 
rough patch--a fifth year of prices below the cost of production. There 
is a lot of stress out there in farm country. All of this shows me that 
more can certainly be done to address the deficiencies in our current 
system.
  Kansas has one suicide prevention lifeline crisis center, located in 
Lawrence, KS. That is to assist people experiencing mental health 
crises from the entire State. In many of our rural areas, we continue 
to struggle with providing adequate access to mental health services.
  Those facts apply just for those patients who seek out care. Too many 
times, people struggling with mental health are either unaware that 
they can seek help, or they are simply unwilling to do so because of 
the stigma that is often associated with mental illness. That is why we 
need to take the opportunity not just this month but every day going 
forward to improve awareness and understanding about mental health.
  The same can be said for addiction. On the Agriculture Committee, we 
are all proud to have played a role in the passage of the SUPPORT for 
Patients and Communities Act last year to help address the opioid 
crisis. However, Kansas is still facing significant challenges with 
meth addiction. We fought the good fight to eliminate meth labs in many 
of our States, and now the cartels in Mexico have much more virulence--
if I can use that term--with regard to meth.
  I am currently working on legislation to help extend the reach of 
important, often lifesaving treatments for addiction to folks in our 
rural areas. We can improve mental and behavioral well-being while 
continuing to reduce the stigma associated with seeking out mental 
health and addiction treatment.
  Additionally, having the privilege of being the chairman of the 
Agriculture Committee and speaking for my ranking member, Senator 
Stabenow, as well, you have probably heard me say that we have been in 
a rough patch in farm country over the past several years. That is 
certainly true. However, those of us who represent farm country can be 
more reticent to discuss the toll these troubled times take on farmers, 
ranchers, growers, and their families, who work tirelessly each day to 
produce the food and fiber for the United States and a troubled and 
hungry world.
  Farmers, ranchers, and growers face highly demanding working 
conditions on a good day but more especially during a time of lower 
prices. As I have indicated, it is the fifth year of prices being below 
the cost of production. So we see mitigation payments coming out of the 
Department of Agriculture.
  Historically, there have been efforts made by Congress to address 
these concerns, including the programs that took place during the 1980s 
farm crisis--I was in the House of Representatives at that particular 
time; those were very tough times--and recognition of this issue in the 
2008 farm bill.
  As we began the 2018 farm bill process, we looked for opportunities 
to address this pressing issue, and it led to renewal of the Farm and 
Ranch Stress Assistance Network. Members on both sides of the aisle in 
the Capitol recognize the importance of a nationwide Farm and Ranch 
Stress Assistance Network. It provides support for all producers, 
farmers, ranchers, and their families through partnerships with 
organizations in their local communities. Local communities are 
stepping up, but in terms of getting that network applied, that is 
another story.
  This network recognizes the State and local organizations that have 
been addressing behavioral health concerns for farmers and ranchers and 
authorizes grants to support the programs that assist those who are in 
crisis, especially during this month when we are addressing this topic.
  We have just heard from the distinguished Senator from Georgia about 
the need to avoid a CR in terms of a national defense, and that is 
true, but in this particular case, it is authorized, but it is subject 
to appropriations.
  On this particular issue, to prevent suicides and mental health 
illness from resulting in a tragedy, not only in our cities, not only 
in other States, but across our rural and smalltown areas, it is 
exceedingly important that we fund this so that we can get the Farm and 
Ranch Stress Assistance Network up and running and provide the help 
they really need.
  Thank you.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________