Congresswoman Kaptur Urges Focus on Untreated Mental Illness

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2014) – Speaking on the House floor, Congresswoman Kaptur urged a renewed focus on untreated mental illness in America, citing the recent shooting incident at Fort Hood.

“Our country has once again been ravaged by the convergence of mental instability and gun rampages,” said Congresswoman Kaptur, a member of the Defense Subcommittee of House Appropriations.

“This is now the second shooting at Fort Hood in recent years. We must again ask ourselves: isn’t this time for a national conversation on untreated mental illness?” she said.

Congresswoman Kaptur said the federal government should focus on early diagnosis of mental illness as well as neurological research, building on President Obama’s brain initiative.

“We must probe the undiscovered functions of the human mind and human performance,” she said. “Advanced research and treatment will benefit both our returning veterans and all Americans who struggle with the unknown reaches of the unquiet mind.”

She challenged her congressional colleagues “to make certain this latest tragedy is indeed the last tragedy. Let us measure up to this worthy challenge.”