IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 883 
Expressing support for the designation of May 2018 as ‘‘Mental Health 
Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 9, 2018 
Mrs. NAPOLITANO (for herself and Mr. KATKO) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of May 2018 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 individuals with mental health conditions and other 
behavioral health disorders can and do recover with clin-
ical treatment and social supports, including medications, 
psychotherapies, psychosocial rehabilitation, and peer 
support; 
Whereas recovery begins with self-direct care, and parents, 
families, and caregivers are allies in recovery and serve 
as critical members of the care delivery team; 
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•HRES 883 IH 
Whereas advances in brain science and behavioral research 
show significant promise for continued improvements in 
effective treatments of mental illness; 
Whereas the increasing diversity of our country underlies 
both the need and importance of accessing culturally and 
linguistically appropriate services; 
Whereas an estimated 44.7 million adults in the United 
States experience mental illness; 
Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents has 
a diagnosable mental disorder at any one point in time, 
and 50 percent of all mental disorders begin by age 14 
and 75 percent by age 24; 
Whereas 65 to 70 percent of youth in contact with the juve-
nile justice system have a diagnosable mental health dis-
order; 
Whereas an estimated 10.4 million adults in the United 
States experience conditions such as schizophrenia, bipo-
lar disorder, and major depression; 
Whereas millions of adults in the United States with a diag-
nosis of serious mental illness do not receive treatment; 
Whereas post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts 14 
to 24 percent of servicemembers and veterans of the wars 
in Afghanistan and Iraq; 
Whereas roughly 20 to 50 percent of all prison and jail in-
mates are diagnosed with a mental illness; 
Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability in 
the Nation; 
Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absen-
teeism and presenteeism resulting in lost earnings and 
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•HRES 883 IH 
productivity in the workplace and costs the United States 
economy over $193 billion per year in lost earnings; 
Whereas suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 
individuals between the ages of 10 and 34; 
Whereas 1 in 4 Latino adolescent girls report contemplating 
suicide, a rate higher than any other demographic; 
Whereas Native Americans currently rank as the top eth-
nicity for suicide rates among young people nationwide; 
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 11 times more likely 
to be the victims of crime and abuse; 
Whereas the delay between a first episode of psychosis and 
onset of treatment is an average of 70 weeks; 
Whereas stigma, shame, and discrimination associated with 
mental illness continue to persist; 
Whereas recovery-oriented interventions such as supported 
employment, supported housing, and supported education 
have been shown to improve outcomes; 
Whereas the faith community may provide a vital link in min-
istering and serving individuals and families in need of 
mental health services; 
Whereas individuals connected to peer support services are 
better connected to their community and services and uti-
lize crisis and emergency services less; and 
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2018 as 
‘‘Mental Health Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 883 IH 
(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; 
(4) supports the finding of the President’s 
Commission on Mental Health that the Nation’s fail-
ure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy; 
and 
(5) 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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