TITLE: Recognizing February 8, 2017, as Mental Illness Awareness Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 8, 2017, as Mental Illness Awareness Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join organizations across the state in observing February 8, 2017, as Mental Illness Awareness Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Mental illness is a serious and often misunderstood issue that affects the lives of millions of Texans; an estimated 25 percent of American adults and 13 percent of young people between the ages of eight and 15 suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year; and WHEREAS, Major depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is associated with a significant risk of suicide; over 90 percent of those who commit suicide suffer from a mental illness at the time of their death; and WHEREAS, The impact of mental illness on the nation's veterans and its active-duty military is a serious cause for concern; among soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, rates of post-traumatic stress disorder reach as high as 31 percent after a year of deployment, and veterans face an exceedingly high rate of suicide; and WHEREAS, Recent scientific advances have helped to remove the stigma once associated with mental illnesses, and organizations across the state and nation are committed to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness through the promotion of prevention and treatment methods; it is truly fitting that a day be set aside to recognize and support those efforts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby recognize February 8, 2017, as Mental Illness Awareness Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion. Huffman, Watson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 8, 2017.