[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 71--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 7 
 THROUGH OCTOBER 13, 2001, AS ``NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK''

  Ms. LANDRIEU submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 71

       Whereas mental health is defined by the state of emotional 
     and psychological well-being in which an individual is able 
     to use the individual's cognitive and emotional capabilities, 
     to function in society, and to meet the ordinary demands of 
     everyday life;
       Whereas mental health disorders include, depression, 
     substance abuse, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, autism, 
     bipolar illness, and panic attacks;
       Whereas more than 51,000,000 individuals in the United 
     States suffer from a mental illness in a single year, but 
     only 8,000,000 seek treatment;
       Whereas 40,000,000 adults in the United States are affected 
     by 1 or more mental disorders;
       Whereas 6,500,000 individuals in the United States are 
     disabled by severe mental illness;
       Whereas the Surgeon General has reported that 4 out of 10 
     of the leading causes of disability for persons age 5 and 
     older are mental disorders;
       Whereas 5.4 percent of the adult population in the United 
     States suffers from a ``serious'' mental illness which 
     interferes with some area of their social functioning;
       Whereas children and adolescents, like adults, have mental 
     health problems that can lead to school failure, family 
     conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and suicide;
       Whereas education and awareness about mental health and 
     mental health services are necessary to detection and 
     treatment; and
       Whereas Congress, as an institution, and the Members of 
     Congress, as individuals, have the unique possibility of 
     raising awareness about mental health: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) designates the week of October 7 through October 13, 
     2001, as ``National Mental Health Awareness Week'';
       (2) encourages all Americans to find out more about mental 
     health services in their communities and seek mental health 
     treatment when necessary; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

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