Expressing support for designation of May 2013 as Mental Health Month.

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 has a diagnosable mental disorder; Whereas post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) afflicts 15 to 20 percent of veterans of the war in Afghanistan and 20 percent of Iraqi war veterans; 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 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 2012, over 38,000 people died by suicide in the United States, and more than 500,000 people in the United States attempt suicide each year; Whereas suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 25 and 34; 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 is higher than for any other age group; Whereas 1 in 4 Latin American 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; Whereas untreated schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic illnesses, especially in persons with a substance abuse disorder or a history of violence, may result in increased violent behavior and those who do not receive treatment are 15 times more likely to commit a violent act than those who are receiving treatment; Whereas lack of awareness of one’s mental illness affects approximately 50 percent of individuals with schizophrenia and 40 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder; Whereas the delay between a first episode of psychosis and onset of treatment is an average of 110 weeks; Whereas medication and psychosocial therapies have proven effective in treating mental illness; and Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2013 as Mental Health Month: Now, therefore, be it 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 equally as important as physical well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, and the economy in the United States; (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.

Summary: Expresses support for: (1) the designation of Mental Health Month, and (2) the finding of the President's Commission on Mental Health that the nation's failure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy. Recognizes that mental well-being is as important as physical well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, and the economy.Applauds the coalescing of national and community organizations in working to promote public awareness of mental health and in providing critical information and support to the people and families affected by mental illness. 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.