III 114th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 480 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 26, 2016 Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Mr. Murphy , Mr. Alexander , and Mrs. Murray ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of May 2016 as “Mental Health Month”.

Whereas mental health and the emotional well-being of individuals in the United States are foundational issues that affect individual, family, and community quality of life and economic prosperity; Whereas studies note that individuals with serious mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than individuals in the general population; Whereas individuals with mental illness, behavioral health disorders, or co-occurring substance use disorders can recover through treatment that includes psychosocial therapy, clinical treatment, and peer support, alone or in combination with behavioral, psychiatric, psychological, or integrated medical services; Whereas prevention strategies can prevent or delay the onset of many mental health conditions; Whereas recovery-oriented interventions such as supported employment, supported housing, and supported education have been shown to improve outcomes for individuals with mental illness; Whereas mental illness impacts individuals across the United States and in every walk of life; Whereas nearly 44,000,000 adults in the United States live with mental illness and 20 percent of children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental health disorder; Whereas 1 in 25 individuals in the United States has lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression; Whereas approximately 1/2 of students age 14 or older with a mental illness drop out of school and 70 percent of adolescents in the juvenile justice system have a mental illness; Whereas the average delay from the onset of symptoms of mental illness to therapeutic intervention for teens is between 8 and 10 years; Whereas suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States and leads to the death of more than 41,000 individuals in the United States each year; Whereas negative perception and stigma continue to be associated with mental illness, which contributes to individuals not seeking needed care; Whereas nearly 15 percent of men and 31 percent of women in jails have a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder; and Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2016 as “Mental Health Month”: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of Mental Health Month to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to encourage individuals to seek care; (2) recognizes that mental well-being is critically important and linked to the well-being of individuals, communities, and the economy in the United States; (3) supports the integration of national and local community efforts to promote public awareness of mental health and to support individuals and families affected by mental illness; and (4) encourages the people of the United States to view Mental Health Month as a chance to promote mental health wellness, to ensure access to services, and to improve the quality of life of individuals living with mental illness.