A resolution supporting the designation of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week".

119th Congress Introduced by Jon Husted

Designates May 3–9, 2026 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Week to promote awareness, early detection, access to care, and prevention for youth mental health.

Submitted in Senate

Overview

Bill: SRES 743

Session: 119th Congress, 2nd Session

Type: Senate Resolution

Title: Supporting the designation of May 3–9, 2026, as “Children's Mental Health Awareness Week”

Sponsors: Senator Husted (co-sponsor: Senator Fetterman)

Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (as of May 20, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

The resolution designates May 3–9, 2026 as “Children's Mental Health Awareness Week.”

It aims to raise awareness of mental health challenges facing children and the importance of early detection, treatment, intervention, and prevention.

It emphasizes the link between children’s mental well-being and factors such as outdoor activity, nutrition, social interaction, and sleep.

Key Provisions

Formal designation: May 3–9, 2026 as “Children's Mental Health Awareness Week.”

Public awareness goals:

Highlight the prevalence and impact of mental health conditions among youth.
Promote early detection and access to mental health care for children.
Encourage prevention strategies and evidence-based interventions.

Emphasis on related factors:

Outdoor recreation, healthy diet, regular peer socialization, and adequate sleep as part of overall mental health.

National priority framing:

Urges mental health of youths to be treated as a national priority.
Supports ongoing promotion of mental health initiatives in schools and communities.

Collaboration and participation:

Acknowledges collaboration among local, state, and federal organizations.
Encourages individuals, families, and communities to participate in Awareness Week activities.

Access to care:

Reiterates the importance of facilitating access to mental health care and resources for children.

Impact and Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges.
Families, educators, healthcare providers, and community organizations involved in youth mental health support.

Potential effects:

Heightened public awareness and reduced stigma surrounding youth mental health.
Encouragement for schools and communities to implement or expand mental health programs and supports.
Potential policy and funding attention directed toward pediatric mental health services and prevention.

Procedural and Timeline Elements

Effective date: The resolution designates a specific week in 2026 (May 3–9) for awareness activities.

Legislative path:

Referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for consideration.
As a non-binding resolution, does not create new law or mandatory requirements but signals congressional support and encourages action.

Additional Context

The resolution references ongoing concerns about youth mental health, stigma, and the public health impact of untreated mental health conditions on development, academics, and home environments.

It aligns with broader efforts to promote mental health awareness and access to care for children.

If you’d like, I can condense this into a one-paragraph summary or expand on how similar designations have been used to influence awareness campaigns and funding.