U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., teamed up with a California Democrat this week to introduce a proposal that would create a special postage stamp -- the proceeds of which would go toward raising awareness for mental health issues.
On Tuesday, Curbelo and U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., introduced the “Mental Health Awareness Semipostal Stamp Act” Tuesday, creating the special stamp with revenues going to the National Institute of Mental Health’s Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. The two congressional representatives said their proposal would not cost taxpayers.
“We’ve all been touched by loved ones that have been afflicted with neurological diseases or mental illness,” Curbelo said on Tuesday. “Despite the great scientific strides that have been made to understand these scourges to mankind, very little is known about the biology of how they develop in the brain. The BRAIN Initiative has the potential for revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of neuroscience and psychology. With this new data, doctors, researchers, and families would be better able to diagnose and assist those suffering. I’d like to thank my colleague, Rep. Grace Napolitano, for being a leader in mental health advocacy throughout her distinguished career and joining me in this effort to raise awareness and additional resources for this worthwhile cause.’
“This is one more step toward reducing stigma, continuing to bring mental health issues out of the shadows,” Napolitano said. “The Mental Health Awareness Semipostal Stamp will not only raise revenue to fund research of mental illness, but also raise critical awareness of an issue that affects one in four Americans. We are glad it will support major organizations’ efforts, like the World Boxing Council—which has been funding brain research at UCLA—and we know this Stamp will make a difference. It will be a reminder of the need to recognize the importance of funding and providing mental health services to all. I am pleased to join Congressman Curbelo in building on the progress made toward mental health parity, ensuring the brain is treated just like every other part of the body."
The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is a public-private partnership working on understanding how the brain works in efforts to better tackle disorders including depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and other disorders.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
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WHAT A GREAT IDEA ! ! !..