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 regi-
mens, including psychosocial therapies, peer support, and 
clinical help, as well as other behavioral, psychiatric, psy-
chological, faith-based and pastoral care, and medical 
services; 
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Whereas parents, families, and caregivers are allies in recov-
ery and serve as critical members of the care delivery 
team; 
Whereas advances in brain and behavioral research show sig-
nificant 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 oper-
ation 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 in-
mates 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 absen-
teeism and lost productivity in the workplace and costs 
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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 men-
tal 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 popu-
lation; 
Whereas those with mental illness are 3 to 4 times more like-
ly 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 individ-
uals with schizophrenia and 40 percent of individuals 
with bipolar disorder making it more challenging to re-
ceive 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 minis-
tering and serving individuals and families in need of 
mental health services; 
Whereas individuals engaged in peer recovery support serv-
ices utilize crisis and emergency services less; and 
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Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2016 as 
‘‘Mental Health Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘Mental Health 
Month’’ to remove the stigma associated with mental 
illness and place emphasis on scientific findings re-
garding mental health recovery; 
(2) recognizes mental well-being is equally as 
important as physical well-being for citizens, commu-
nities, businesses, and the economy in the United 
States; 
(3) applauds the coalescing of national, commu-
nity, medical, and faith-based organizations in work-
ing to promote public awareness of mental health 
and providing critical information and support to the 
people and families affected by mental illness; and 
(4) encourages all to draw on ‘‘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. 
Æ 
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