PRINTER'S NO. 1537
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
275
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY RESCHENTHALER, TOMLINSON, ARGALL, COSTA, MENSCH,
McILHINNEY, GREENLEAF, RAFFERTY, BARTOLOTTA, SCAVELLO,
SABATINA, ALLOWAY AND HAYWOOD, JANUARY 28, 2016
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, JANUARY 28, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 2646, the
Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015.
WHEREAS, Nearly 10 million Americans have a serious mental
illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major
depression; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Mental Health reports that
in 2013 an estimated 43.8 million adults, or 18.5% of all adults
18 years of age or older in the United States, had a mental
illness; and
WHEREAS, Millions of individuals with mental illness are not
receiving the care needed to keep themselves and others safe
from tragedies; and
WHEREAS, Family members and loved ones of those suffering
from mental illness are often restricted from helping to deliver
treatment and care; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 2646 seeks to fix the nation's broken mental
health system in order to aid families struggling with mental
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illness who have loved ones in need of treatment; and
WHEREAS, The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations, chaired by Representative Tim Murphy,
Republican, 18th District of Pennsylvania, reviewed the
country's mental health system beginning January 2013 to
determine why so many who need care are denied access to
treatment; and
WHEREAS, This investigation included public forums, hearings
with expert witnesses, and document and budget reviews; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Murphy stated that the investigation
"revealed the federal government's approach to mental health is
a chaotic patchwork of antiquated programs and ineffective
policies spread across numerous agencies with little to no
coordination"; and
WHEREAS, Although the Federal government dedicates $130
billion towards mental health annually, our country faces a
number of barriers to adequately addressing the mental health
needs of our population, such as a severe shortage of
psychiatric beds, only one child psychiatrist for every 2,000
children with a mental health disorder and criminal
incarceration facilities serving as three of the largest mental
health hospitals; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 2646 endeavors to refocus and increase
interagency coordination for mental health programs, reform
grant standards and remove Federal obstacles to receiving care;
and
WHEREAS, H.R. 2646 addresses the need for improved mental
health systems across the country by allowing parents and
caregivers to become meaningful partners with mental health
professionals in addressing their loved ones' mental illness,
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promoting effective evidence-based care, driving innovative
models of care by reforming standards for grant programs,
addressing the need for more crisis mental health beds,
improving outreach and access to underserved and rural
populations, promoting early intervention and prevention
programs, emphasizing suicide prevention and increasing
physician volunteerism; and
WHEREAS, This legislation has gained the support of many
organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness,
the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the
American Psychiatric Association; and
WHEREAS, With improved treatment and programs, the United
States can support individuals with a mental illness so they can
lead full, productive lives; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 2646, the
Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States and to each member of
Congress.
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