[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.

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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