PRINTER'S NO. 2059
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
445
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY BARTOLOTTA, DINNIMAN, STREET, MENSCH, GREENLEAF,
EICHELBERGER, FONTANA, BROWNE, MARTIN, SABATINA, BLAKE,
BREWSTER, FOLMER, COSTA, BAKER, RESCHENTHALER, HUGHES,
SCHWANK, KILLION, AUMENT, RAFFERTY AND WARD, OCTOBER 1, 2018
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 1, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing October 10, 2018, as "World Mental Health Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Mental health is essential to achieve the full
potential of an individual and mental health disorders can
affect the ability of an individual to carry out daily tasks,
establish or maintain relationships or pursue other fundamental
endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Mental health disorders and substance use disorders
are the leading causes of disability globally; and
WHEREAS, Depression is the third leading cause of disease
burden globally, and, by 2030, depression will be the highest
cause of disease burden in low-income countries and the second
highest cause of disease burden in middle-income countries; and
WHEREAS, Depression has a particularly negative impact on
women, for whom depression is the leading cause of disease
burden, independent of the income level of their countries of
residence; and
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WHEREAS, Approximately 3,000 suicide deaths occur each day
globally; and
WHEREAS, For each completed suicide, 20 more individuals
attempt suicide; and
WHEREAS, Up to 90% of individuals who complete suicide have a
diagnosable mental health disorder; and
WHEREAS, Students who both are targets of bullying and engage
in bullying behavior are at greater risk for both mental health
and behavior problems than students who are only bullied or who
only bully; and
WHEREAS, Serious and persistent mental illness, such as
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, affects up to 7% of the
population of the world and is extremely debilitating; and
WHEREAS, In high-income countries, approximately one half of
all individuals afflicted with mental health disorders do not
receive appropriate mental health care; and
WHEREAS, In low-income countries, approximately 85% to 90% of
individuals afflicted with mental health disorders do not
receive appropriate mental health care; and
WHEREAS, Integrating mental health and psychosocial support
into health and social sectors improves the health, economic
development and political stability of the population, builds
the capacity of staff and health facilities and creates non-
stigmatizing mental health services; and
WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to create readily
accessible, high-quality mental health services in line with
national and global guidelines by designing and implementing
comprehensive programs that are culturally, developmentally and
linguistically appropriate, building local human resource
capacity and strengthening health systems; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize October 10, 2018, as
"World Mental Health Day" in Pennsylvania to highlight the
importance of mental health globally and the contributions and
value of mental health; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth honor the importance of
trained mental health workers as they enhance human well-being
and mental health, restore functioning and save lives by
ensuring the availability of high-quality, context-relevant
mental health and psychosocial support services; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth commend the dedication of
organizations, professionals and volunteers globally who work to
improve the mental health of all individuals and the important
contributions and bravery of individuals globally who live with
or have overcome mental health disorders.
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