III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 480 

Supporting the designation of May 2016 as ‘‘Mental Health Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 26, 2016 

Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. ALEXANDER, and Mrs. MURRAY) 

submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of May 2016 as ‘‘Mental Health 

Month’’. 

Whereas mental health and the emotional well-being of individuals in the United States are foundational issues that 

affect individual, family, and community quality of life 

and economic prosperity; 

Whereas studies note that individuals with serious mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than individuals in 

the general population; 

Whereas individuals with mental illness, behavioral health 

disorders, or co-occurring substance use disorders can recover through treatment that includes psychosocial therapy, clinical treatment, and peer support, alone or in 

combination with behavioral, psychiatric, psychological, or 

integrated medical services; 


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•SRES 480 ATS 

Whereas prevention strategies can prevent or delay the onset 

of many mental health conditions; 

Whereas recovery-oriented interventions such as supported 

employment, supported housing, and supported education 

have been shown to improve outcomes for individuals 

with mental illness; 

Whereas mental illness impacts individuals across the United 

States and in every walk of life; 

Whereas nearly 44,000,000 adults in the United States live 

with mental illness and 20 percent of children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental health disorder; 

Whereas 1 in 25 individuals in the United States has lived 

with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression; 

Whereas approximately 1⁄2 of students age 14 or older with 

a mental illness drop out of school and 70 percent of adolescents in the juvenile justice system have a mental illness; 

Whereas the average delay from the onset of symptoms of 

mental illness to therapeutic intervention for teens is between 8 and 10 years; 

Whereas suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the 

United States and leads to the death of more than 

41,000 individuals in the United States each year; 

Whereas negative perception and stigma continue to be associated with mental illness, which contributes to individuals not seeking needed care; 

Whereas nearly 15 percent of men and 31 percent of women 

in jails have a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder; and 


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•SRES 480 ATS 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2016 as 

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

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

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

3 Month’’ to reduce the stigma associated with mental 

4 illness and to encourage individuals to seek care; 

5 (2) recognizes that mental well-being is criti6 cally important and linked to the well-being of indi7 viduals, communities, and the economy in the United 

8 States; 

9 (3) supports the integration of national and 

10 local community efforts to promote public awareness 

11 of mental health and to support individuals and fam12 ilies affected by mental illness; and 

13 (4) encourages the people of the United States 

14 to view ‘‘Mental Health Month’’ as a chance to pro15 mote mental health wellness, to ensure access to 

16 services, and to improve the quality of life of individ17 uals living with mental illness. 

Æ 


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