[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1258 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1258

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          May 25, 2010.
Whereas the mental health and well-being of people in the United States is a 
        critical issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the 
        health of communities, families, and economic stability;
Whereas the stigma associated with mental health continues to persist;
Whereas more than 57,000,000 people in the United States suffer from mental 
        illness;
Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents may have a diagnosable 
        mental disorder;
Whereas more than a quarter of the members of the United States Armed Forces 
        suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained from 
        combat, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder;
Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates suffer from mental 
        illness;
Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the Nation;
Whereas major mental illness costs businesses and the United States economy over 
        $193,000,000,000 per year in lost earnings;
Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and lost 
        productivity in the workplace;
Whereas, in 2006, over 33,300 individuals died by suicide in the United States, 
        nearly twice the rate of homicide;
Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between the ages 
        of 15 and 24;
Whereas, in 2006, individuals age 65 and older comprised only 12.4 percent of 
        the population but accounted for 15.9 percent of all suicides;
Whereas 1 in 4 Latina adolescents report seriously contemplating suicide, a rate 
        higher than any other demographic;
Whereas Native Americans currently rank as the top ethnicity for suicide rates 
        nationwide;
Whereas studies report that people with serious mental illness die, on average, 
        25 years earlier than the general population; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2010 as Mental Health Month: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of Mental Health Month in order to 
        place emphasis on scientific facts and findings regarding mental health 
        and to remove the stigma associated with mental illness;
            (2) recognizes that mental well-being is as important as physical 
        well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, and the economy in the 
        United States;
            (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 finding of the President's Commission on Mental 
        Health that recovery from mental illness is a real possibility and steps 
        can be taken to improve the lives of those living with mental illnesses, 
        which will benefit American families, communities, schools, and 
        workplaces; and
            (5) encourages 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 living with mental illness.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.