Expressing support for designation of May 2011 as Mental Health Month.

[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 214 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 214

 Expressing support for designation of May 2011 as Mental Health Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 8, 2011

Mrs. Napolitano submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for designation of May 2011 as Mental Health Month.

Whereas the mental health and well-being of people in the United States is a 
        critical issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the 
        health of communities, families, and economic stability;
Whereas the stigma associated with mental health continues to persist;
Whereas more than 57,000,000 people in the United States suffer from mental 
        illness;
Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents may have a diagnosable 
        mental disorder;
Whereas more than a quarter of the members of the United States Armed Forces 
        suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained from 
        combat, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder;
Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates suffer from mental 
        illness;
Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the Nation;
Whereas major mental illness costs businesses and the United States economy over 
        $193,000,000,000 per year in lost earnings;
Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and lost 
        productivity in the workplace;
Whereas, in 2006, over 33,300 individuals died by suicide in the United States, 
        nearly twice the rate of homicide;
Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between the ages 
        of 15 and 24;
Whereas, in 2006, individuals age 65 and older comprised only 12.4 percent of 
        the population but accounted for 15.9 percent of all suicides;
Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously contemplating suicide, a rate 
        higher than any other demographic;
Whereas Native Americans currently rank as the top ethnicity for suicide rates 
        nationwide;
Whereas studies report that people with serious mental illness die, on average, 
        25 years earlier than the general population; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2011 as Mental Health Month: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of Mental Health Month in 
        order to place emphasis on scientific facts and findings 
        regarding mental health and to remove the stigma associated 
        with mental illness;
            (2) recognizes that mental well-being is as important as 
        physical well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, and 
        the economy in the United States;
            (3) applauds the coalescing of national and community 
        organizations in working to promote public awareness of mental 
        health and providing critical information and support to the 
        people and families affected by mental illness;
            (4) supports the finding of the President's Commission on 
        Mental Health that recovery from mental illness is a real 
        possibility and steps can be taken to improve the lives of 
        those living with mental illnesses, which will benefit American 
        families, communities, schools, and workplaces; and
            (5) encourages organizations and health practitioners to 
        use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental 
        well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate 
        services, and support overall quality of life for those living 
        with mental illness.
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