IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 712 

Expressing support for the designation of May 2016 as ‘‘Mental Health 

Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 29, 2016 

Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania (for himself, Ms. BORDALLO, and Mr. LEVIN) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of May 2016 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 the stigma associated with mental health continues 

to persist; 

Whereas individuals with mental illness and behavioral health 

disorders can and do recover utilizing treatment regimens, including psychosocial therapies, peer support, and 

clinical help, as well as other behavioral, psychiatric, psychological, faith-based and pastoral care, and medical 

services; 


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•HRES 712 IH 

Whereas parents, families, and caregivers are allies in recovery and serve as critical members of the care delivery 

team; 

Whereas advances in brain and behavioral research show significant promise for continued improvements in effective 

treatments of mental illness; 

Whereas 43,800,000 adults in the United States experience 

mental illness; 

Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents has 

a diagnosable mental disorder; 

Whereas 9,800,000 adults in the United States experience 

conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and 

major depression; 

Whereas nearly 40 percent of adults in the United States 

with a diagnosis of serious mental illness do not receive 

treatment in any given year; 

Whereas post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts 11 

to 20 percent of servicemembers and veterans of operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom 

(OEF); 

Whereas every day an estimated 22 veterans die by suicide; 

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

States prisons are home to 10 times more people with 

mental illness than psychiatric hospitals; 

Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability in 

the Nation; 

Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace and costs 


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•HRES 712 IH 

the United States economy over $193,000,000,000 per 

year in lost earnings; 

Whereas there are approximately 42,770 suicides each year; 

Whereas suicide is the second leading cause of death among 

individuals between the ages of 15 and 34; 

Whereas 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a mental health condition; 

Whereas Native Americans currently are twice as likely to 

commit suicide as other gender or racial subgroups; 

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 3 to 4 times more likely to be the victims of crime and abuse; 

Whereas lack of awareness of one’s mental illness, known as 

anosognosia, affects approximately 50 percent of individuals with schizophrenia and 40 percent of individuals 

with bipolar disorder making it more challenging to receive care; 

Whereas the delay between a first episode of psychosis and 

onset of treatment is an average of 80 weeks; 

Whereas recovery-oriented interventions such as supported 

employment, supported housing, and supported education 

have been shown to improve outcomes; 

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

mental health services; 

Whereas individuals engaged in peer recovery support services utilize crisis and emergency services less; and 


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•HRES 712 IH 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2016 as 

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

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

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

3 Month’’ to remove the stigma associated with mental 

4 illness and place emphasis on scientific findings re5 garding mental health recovery; 

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

7 important as physical well-being for citizens, commu8 nities, businesses, and the economy in the United 

9 States; 

10 (3) applauds the coalescing of national, commu11 nity, medical, and faith-based organizations in work12 ing to promote public awareness of mental health 

13 and providing critical information and support to the 

14 people and families affected by mental illness; and 

15 (4) encourages all to draw on ‘‘Mental Health 

16 Month’’ as an opportunity to promote mental well17 being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate 

18 services, and support overall quality of life for those 

19 living with mental illness. 

Æ 


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