PRINTER'S NO. 906
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
141
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY BULLOCK, CEPHAS, KINSEY, DEAN, MURT, McCLINTON,
DiGIROLAMO, BIZZARRO, YOUNGBLOOD, READSHAW, J. HARRIS,
HENNESSEY, CALTAGIRONE, SOLOMON, RABB, V. BROWN, DAVIS,
O'BRIEN, WHEATLEY AND HILL-EVANS, MARCH 13, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 13, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2017 as "Mental Health Awareness in
the Black Community Month" in Pennsylvania in conjunction
with the 2017 Black Brain Campaign being held in
Philadelphia.
WHEREAS, Persistent racial inequality and race-based
exclusion in the United States has translated into continuing
mental health disparities among African Americans and a
continuing mental health care gap; and
WHEREAS, African Americans are disproportionately affected by
serious psychological distress and mental health disorders; and
WHEREAS, Twenty-five percent of African Americans seek and
access mental health services as compared to 40% of individuals
representing other racial groups; and
WHEREAS, The American Psychological Association has reported
that young adult African Americans who have acquired higher
levels of education are less likely than other young adults to
seek mental health services; and
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WHEREAS, African Americans receive low rates of outpatient
care and high rates of emergency care; and
WHEREAS, Disparities in mental health outcomes exist even
after access to the health care system has been improved; and
WHEREAS, The inaugural Black Brain Campaign in 2016 spurred
Philadelphia-area clinicians to explore mental health reforms
for African Americans; and
WHEREAS, Marriage and family therapists Jaynay Johnson and
Farida Saleem-Boyer established the Black Brain Campaign to
strengthen families within the African-American community; and
WHEREAS, The structure provided by a cohesive family and
extended family is essential in confronting racial disparities,
transcending cultural and bureaucratic barriers and reducing
stigmas and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, School-based counselors and community-based
counselors are further essential in coordinating available
mental health resources and addressing the silence and the fears
that can perpetuate cycles of trauma; and
WHEREAS, Other mental health professionals, health care
providers and social service providers are further essential in
confronting provider bias where it exists; and
WHEREAS, Health policy experts and advocates are further
essential in closing the racial gaps in mental health status and
mental health care; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes an
imperative for health care policy reforms, interventions and
initiatives to eliminate mental health disparities based on
race, ethnicity, education, income or geography; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2017 as "Mental Health Awareness in the Black
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Community Month" in Pennsylvania in conjunction with the 2017
Black Brain Campaign being held in Philadelphia.
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