H. Res. 1258 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

May 25, 2010. 

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; 
2 

•HRES 1258 EH 

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 2010 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 

•HRES 1258 EH 

(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. 

Attest: 

Clerk.