PRINTER'S NO. 1258
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
268
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCHLOSSBERG, DiGIROLAMO, DeLUCA, MURT, J. HARRIS,
ACOSTA, KINSEY, COHEN, McCARTER, KOTIK, DONATUCCI, VITALI,
NEUMAN, BROWNLEE, MILLARD, PICKETT, FREEMAN, LONGIETTI,
DAVIS, O'BRIEN, HARKINS, THOMAS, BAKER, CALTAGIRONE, KIM,
DRISCOLL, MACKENZIE, BOBACK, HARHART, READSHAW, ROSS,
WHEELAND, SONNEY, DUSH, FARINA, MATZIE, STAATS, MARSICO,
MAHONEY, McNEILL, CUTLER, VEREB, YOUNGBLOOD, DEAN, KIRKLAND,
O'NEILL, WATSON, GOODMAN, MAJOR, SCHREIBER, GINGRICH,
GIBBONS, MENTZER, D. COSTA AND FABRIZIO, APRIL 20, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 20, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2015 as "Mental Health Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Mental health is critical to the overall health and
well-being of individuals, families, communities and businesses;
and
WHEREAS, Mental health problems can affect individuals of any
race, religion, age or economic status; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration reports that in 2013 an estimated 43.8
million adults 18 years of age or older in the United States had
a mental illness; and
WHEREAS, Mental illnesses are serious medical illnesses that
cannot be overcome through willpower and are not related to a
person's character or intelligence; and
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WHEREAS, People with a mental illness have the same needs and
are guaranteed the same rights as all Americans, but they
experience discrimination in education, employment and housing;
and
WHEREAS, Mental illnesses usually strike individuals in the
prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young
adulthood; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration reports that in 2013 3.3 million youths
12 to 17 years of age received treatment or counseling for
problems with emotions or behavior in a specialty mental health
setting; and
WHEREAS, A lack of full and proper treatment for individuals
with a mental illness costs public and private employers
billions of dollars annually through absenteeism, turnover and
low productivity; and
WHEREAS, With proper treatment and support, individuals with
a mental illness can lead full, productive lives; and
WHEREAS, Early identification and treatment of a mental
illness, including access to treatment and recovery support
options, which are proven effective, are vitally important;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2015 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That all citizens, government agencies, public and
private institutions, businesses and schools be urged to
recommit our communities to increasing awareness and
understanding of mental illnesses and the need for appropriate
and accessible services for all people with a mental illness.
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