Montgomery News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 22, 2023, Representatives David Trone (D-MD), Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) led a group of their colleagues in introducing a House resolutiondesignating the week of May 22 to 26, 2023, as Educator Mental Health Awareness Week.

Even as we move out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health needs of our nation’s teachers continue to be ignored and forgotten. According to a RAND study from January 2022, over a quarter of teachers and principals reported experiencing symptoms of depression. Further, nearly 75% of teachers and 85% of principals said they were experiencing frequent job-related stress, compared with only a third of working adults.

On top of expectations for educators to meet the diverse academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of their students, our educators had their routines and curriculums uprooted by the pandemic, driving anxiety and uncertainty. In fact, most recent data shows that more than half of teachers said they were considering leaving the field or retiring – a significant increase from before the pandemic. America’s educators are asking for more mental health training and resources, and they deserve it.

“Our educators were given the herculean task of teaching our students online through a devastating global pandemic, resulting in new teaching barriers and a bigger disconnect between educators and their students. These challenges continue to impact learning today and have taken a toll on educator mental health,” said Congressman David Trone, co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “Moving forward, we must work together to ensure our educators are listened to and cared for. This week, and every week, shining a light on their mental wellness will not only benefit our educators but also their students: our leaders of tomorrow.”

“We know that teachers face multiple challenges as they do the valuable work of educating students,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee’s Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee. “I’ve heard from many educators who are deeply committed to their profession, but have experienced significant stress because of the pandemic, gun violence, or other challenges. When educators thrive, students thrive. It is a good investment to provide educators with the support they need to be healthy, including mental health care. I’m leading the Educator Mental Health Awareness Resolution with Congressman Trone to show our commitment to helping educators get the mental health care they need.”

“Teachers play an invaluable role in shaping the minds of our future generations. Their dedication and passion often come at a personal cost, and it is essential that we prioritize their mental well-being,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. “By supporting Educator Mental Health Week, we not only acknowledge the challenges they face but also send a powerful message that their mental health matters. Let us stand together and create an environment where our educators can thrive and continue to inspire generations to come.”

The resolution is co-sponsored by: Paul Tonko (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Jason Crow (D-CO),  Susie Lee (D-NV), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Katie Porter (D-CA).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees in the 118th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Original source can be found here.