IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 883 

Expressing support for the designation of May 2018 as ‘‘Mental Health 

Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 9, 2018 

Mrs. NAPOLITANO (for herself and Mr. KATKO) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of May 2018 as 

‘‘Mental Health Month’’. 

Whereas the mental health and well-being of people in the 

United States is a vital issue that affects not only quality 

of life, but also the health of communities, families, and 

economic stability; 

Whereas individuals with mental health conditions and other 

behavioral health disorders can and do recover with clinical treatment and social supports, including medications, 

psychotherapies, psychosocial rehabilitation, and peer 

support; 

Whereas recovery begins with self-direct care, and parents, 

families, and caregivers are allies in recovery and serve 

as critical members of the care delivery team; 


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•HRES 883 IH 

Whereas advances in brain science and behavioral research 

show significant promise for continued improvements in 

effective treatments of mental illness; 

Whereas the increasing diversity of our country underlies 

both the need and importance of accessing culturally and 

linguistically appropriate services; 

Whereas an estimated 44.7 million adults in the United 

States experience mental illness; 

Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents has 

a diagnosable mental disorder at any one point in time, 

and 50 percent of all mental disorders begin by age 14 

and 75 percent by age 24; 

Whereas 65 to 70 percent of youth in contact with the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder; 

Whereas an estimated 10.4 million adults in the United 

States experience conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression; 

Whereas millions of adults in the United States with a diagnosis of serious mental illness do not receive treatment; 

Whereas post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts 14 

to 24 percent of servicemembers and veterans of the wars 

in Afghanistan and Iraq; 

Whereas roughly 20 to 50 percent of all prison and jail inmates are diagnosed with a mental illness; 

Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability in 

the Nation; 

Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and presenteeism resulting in lost earnings and 


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•HRES 883 IH 

productivity in the workplace and costs the United States 

economy over $193 billion per year in lost earnings; 

Whereas suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 

individuals between the ages of 10 and 34; 

Whereas 1 in 4 Latino adolescent girls report contemplating 

suicide, a rate higher than any other demographic; 

Whereas Native Americans currently rank as the top ethnicity for suicide rates among young people nationwide; 

Whereas studies report that people with serious mental illness 

die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population; 

Whereas those with mental illness are 11 times more likely 

to be the victims of crime and abuse; 

Whereas the delay between a first episode of psychosis and 

onset of treatment is an average of 70 weeks; 

Whereas stigma, shame, and discrimination associated with 

mental illness continue to persist; 

Whereas recovery-oriented interventions such as supported 

employment, supported housing, and supported education 

have been shown to improve outcomes; 

Whereas the faith community may provide a vital link in ministering and serving individuals and families in need of 

mental health services; 

Whereas individuals connected to peer support services are 

better connected to their community and services and utilize crisis and emergency services less; and 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2018 as 

‘‘Mental Health Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 883 IH 

1 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Mental Health 

2 Month’’ to remove the stigma associated with mental 

3 illness and place emphasis on scientific findings re4 garding mental health recovery; 

5 (2) recognizes mental well-being is equally as 

6 important as physical well-being for citizens, commu7 nities, businesses, and the economy in the United 

8 States; 

9 (3) applauds the coalescing of national, commu10 nity, medical, and faith-based organizations in work11 ing to promote public awareness of mental health 

12 and providing critical information and support to the 

13 people and families affected by mental illness; 

14 (4) supports the finding of the President’s 

15 Commission on Mental Health that the Nation’s fail16 ure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy; 

17 and 

18 (5) encourages all to draw on ‘‘Mental Health 

19 Month’’ as an opportunity to promote mental well20 being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate 

21 services, and support overall quality of life for those 

22 living with mental illness. 

Æ 


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