PRINTER'S NO. 3388
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
779
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BULLOCK, CEPHAS, KIM, SAPPEY, DONATUCCI, KINSEY,
MURT, FREEMAN, LONGIETTI, WHEATLEY, KORTZ, YOUNGBLOOD,
THOMAS, WILLIAMS, CONKLIN, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, McCLINTON,
GAINEY, DeLUCA, KIRKLAND AND ROEBUCK, FEBRUARY 28, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, FEBRUARY 28, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2020 as "Mental Health Awareness in
the Black Community Month" in Pennsylvania.
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 20% more likely to suffer
serious psychological distress and are also more likely to have
feelings of sadness, helplessness and worthlessness than other
racial groups; 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, Although African-American teenagers are less likely
than other racial groups to die from suicide, they are more
likely to attempt suicide; and
WHEREAS, The American Psychological Association has reported
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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
WHEREAS, Compared with other racial groups, African Americans
are more likely to use emergency rooms or primary care rather
than mental health specialists for care and treatment; and
WHEREAS, One out of every three African Americans who need
mental health care receives it; 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 inaugural Black Brain Campaign in 2016 spurred
Philadelphia-area clinicians to explore mental health reforms
for African Americans; 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 also 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 vital in confronting
provider bias where it exists; and
WHEREAS, Health policy experts and advocates are also
important to close the racial gaps in mental health status and
mental health care; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2020 as "Mental Health Awareness in the Black
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Community Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize an
imperative for health care policy reforms, interventions and
initiatives to eliminate mental health disparities based on
race, ethnicity, education, income or geography.
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