    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 9112--APR. 30, 2014

    Proclamation 9112 of April 30, 2014

    National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2014

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    Despite great strides in our understanding of mental illness and vast
    improvements in the dialogue surrounding it, too many still suffer in
    silence. Tens of millions of Americans face mental health conditions
    like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or post-
    traumatic stress disorder. During National Mental Health Awareness
    Month, we reaffirm our commitment to building our understanding of
    mental illness, increasing access to treatment, and ensuring those who
    are struggling to know they are not alone.
    Over the course of a year, one in five adults will experience a mental
    illness, yet less than half will receive treatment. Because this is
    unacceptable, my Administration is fighting to make mental health care
    more accessible than ever. Through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), we are
    extending mental health and substance use disorder benefits and parity
    protections to over 60 million Americans. Because of the ACA, insurers
    can no longer deny coverage or charge patients more due to pre-existing
    health conditions, including mental illness. The ACA also requires
    health plans to cover recommended preventive services like depression
    screening and behavioral assessments at no out-of-pocket cost. And under
    this law, we are expanding services for mental health and substance use
    disorder at community health centers across the country.
    My Administration is also investing in programs that promote mental
    health among young people. We secured new funding to train teachers to
    identify and respond to mental illness and to train thousands of
    additional mental health professionals to serve students. And because it
    is our sacred obligation to give our veterans the support they have
    earned, we have increased the number of Department of Veterans Affairs
    (VA) mental health providers, enhanced VA partnerships with community
    providers, and improved Government coordination on research efforts.

    [[Page 4144]]

    We too often think about mental health differently from other forms
    of health. Yet like any disease, mental illnesses can be treated--and
    without help, they can grow worse. That is why we must build
    an open dialogue that encourages support and respect for those strug-
    gling with mental illness. To learn how you can get involved, visit
    www.MentalHealth.gov. Those seeking immediate help should call 1-800-
    662-HELP. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also offers immediate
    assistance for all Americans, including service members and veterans, at
    1-800-273-TALK.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2014 as National
    Mental Health Awareness Month. I call upon citizens, government
    agencies, organizations, health care providers, and research
    institutions to raise mental health awareness and continue helping
    Americans live longer, healthier lives.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
    eighth.
    BARACK OBAMA