Title: Expressing support for the designation of May 2018 as "Mental Health Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Supports the designation of Mental Health Month to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and to place emphasis on scientific findings regarding mental health recovery.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 883 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 clinical 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;
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 juvenile justice system 
        have a diagnosable mental health disorder;
Whereas an estimated 10.4 million adults in the United States experience 
        conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major 
        depression;
Whereas millions of adults in the United States with a diagnosis 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 inmates 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 absenteeism and 
        presenteeism resulting in lost earnings and 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 ethnicity 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 population;
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 ministering 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 utilize 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--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Mental Health Month'' to 
        remove the stigma associated with mental illness and place 
        emphasis on scientific findings regarding mental health 
        recovery;
            (2) recognizes 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, community, 
        medical, and faith-based 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 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.
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