110 HRES 1134 EH: Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental U.S. House of Representatives 2008-05-14 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1134 In the House of Representatives, U. S., May 14, 2008 RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month.

Whereas the mental health and well-being of Americans is a critical issue that affects not only the quality of life, but also the health of our communities and our economic stability; Whereas the stigma associated with mental health persists; Whereas more than 57,000,000 Americans suffer from a mental illness; Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental disorder; Whereas more than 1 in 5 of our troops suffer from major depression or post traumatic stress disorder; Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates suffer from mental illness; Whereas mental illness is the most common disability in our Nation; Whereas untreated mental illness costs businesses and the American economy over $150,000,000,000 annually; Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace; Whereas in 2004, over 32,000 individuals committed suicide in the United States, at twice the rate of homicides; Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 and 24; Whereas in 2004, individuals aged 65 and older made up only 12.4 percent of the population, but accounted for 16 percent of all suicides, and the rate of suicide among older Americans is higher than for any other age group; Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously contemplating suicide, a rate higher than any other demographic; Whereas studies report that persons with serious mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population; and Whereas it would be appropriate to designate May 2008 as Mental Health Month: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in order to emphasize scientific facts and findings regarding mental health and to remove the stigma associated therewith; (2)recognizes that mental well-being is equally as important as physical well-being for our citizens, our communities, our businesses, our economy, and our Nation; (3)applauds the coalescing of national and community organizations in working to promote public awareness of mental health, and providing critical information and support to the people and families affected by mental illness; (4)supports the findings of the President’s Commission on Mental Health that the Nation’s failure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy; and (5)encourages all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of life for those with mental illness.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.