PRINTER'S NO. 1794
No. 187 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY DeLUCA, COLAFELLA, FRANKEL, COSTA AND WALKO,
MAY 11, 1999
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 11, 1999
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating May 1999 as "Mental Health Month" in Pennsylvania.
2 WHEREAS, One in four Americans of all ages will suffer a
3 serious mental disorder such as depression, schizophrenia or
4 anxiety disorder at some time in their lives; and
5 WHEREAS, Together, the different disorders make mental
6 illness the most prevalent health problem in America today, more
7 common than cancer, lung and heart disease combined; and
8 WHEREAS, Two out of every three people who overcome the fear,
9 prejudice and misunderstanding of mental disorders to seek
10 professional help are able to find effective treatment and
11 support; and
12 WHEREAS, A need exists for access to appropriate health care
13 coverage for mental disorders and for parity in mental and
14 physical health benefits; and
15 WHEREAS, Early recognition and treatment of mental disorders
16 vastly increases the likelihood of restored health; and
17 WHEREAS, Family, friends and coworkers play a key role in
1 recognizing the early warning signs of mental disorders; and
2 WHEREAS, Mental health associations and other human service
3 agencies and community support organizations have devoted a
4 special period of the year to increasing public awareness and
5 understanding of mental health and mental disorders since 1949;
6 therefore be it
7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May
8 1999 as "Mental Health Month" in Pennsylvania.
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