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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 437 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 437

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          June 3, 2009.
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 our communities, and our 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 has a diagnosable mental 
        disorder;
Whereas more than a quarter of our troops 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 our Nation;
Whereas major mental illness costs businesses and the United States economy over 
        $193,000,000,000 per year in lost earnings;
Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and lost 
        productivity in the workplace;
Whereas in 2005, over 32,000 individuals committed suicide in the U.S., nearly 
        twice the rate of homicide;
Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among people between the 
        ages of 15 and 24;
Whereas in 2004, individuals age 65 and older comprised only 12.4 percent of the 
        population but accounted for 16.6 percent of all suicides, and the rate 
        of suicide among older people in the United States is higher than for 
        any other age group;
Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously contemplating suicide, a rate 
        higher than any other demographic;
Whereas studies report that persons with serious mental illness die, on average, 
        25 years earlier than the general population; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2009 as Mental Health Month: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in order to 
        place emphasis on scientific facts and findings regarding mental health 
        and to remove stigma associated therewith;
            (2) recognizes that mental well-being is equally as important as 
        physical well-being for our citizens, our communities, our businesses, 
        our economy and our country;
            (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 the Nation's failure to prioritize mental health is a 
        national tragedy, and
            (5) encourages all 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.
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