1Recognizing May 9, 2013, as "National Children's Mental Health
2Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is a
4key strategy of the Caring for Every Child's Mental Health
5Campaign, which is part of the Public Awareness and Support
6Strategic Initiative by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
7Services Administration, United States Department of Health and
8Human Services; and

9WHEREAS, The effort seeks to raise awareness about the
10importance of children's mental health and that positive mental
11health is essential to a child's healthy development; and

12WHEREAS, According to the United States Surgeon General and
13the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health report, 21% of
14children 9 to 17 years of age have a diagnosable mental
15disorder; and

16WHEREAS, According to a National Institute of Mental Health

1study, children with unidentified and untreated mental disorders
2are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system; and

3WHEREAS, A United States Surgeon General report found that
4early and effective mental health treatment can prevent a
5significant proportion of delinquent and violent youth from
6future violence and crime; and

7WHEREAS, Awareness of children's mental health issues can
8enable children to succeed in school, to develop socially and to
9fully experience the development opportunities of childhood;
10therefore be it

11RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize May 9, 2013, as "National
12Children's Mental Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.