THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY REICHLEY, BAKER, BISHOP, BOYD, B. BOYLE, BRADFORD, BRIGGS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CUTLER, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLEN, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, HAHN, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HESS, KILLION, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, MARSICO, McGEEHAN, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOUL, MULLERY, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PICKETT, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REED, ROCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TOOHIL, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, WHEATLEY, BENNINGHOFF, CONKLIN AND MILNE, APRIL 20, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 20, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of May 2011 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, An estimated 26.2% of Americans 18 years of age and

older, about one in four adults, suffer from a diagnosable

mental disorder in a given year; 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

WHEREAS, People with 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 Surgeon General reports that 10% of children and

adolescents in the United States suffer from serious emotional

and mental disorders that cause significant functional

impairment in their day-to-day lives at home, in school and with

peers; and

WHEREAS, A lack of full and proper treatment for those adults

with 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

mental illness can lead full, productive lives; and

WHEREAS, Early identification and treatment of mental

illness, as well as ensuring access to treatment and recovery

supports, which are proven effective, are vitally important;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of May 2011 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 illness and the need for appropriate and

accessible services for all people with mental illness.