2019 -- S 0809

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LC002501

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING MAY OF 2019 AS "MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Ruggerio, Felag, Algiere, and Satchell

     Date Introduced: April 25, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Since 1949, Mental Health America, joined by organizations from across

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the country, have led the observance of May as Mental Health Month, with the mission of raising

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awareness and educating the public about mental illnesses. This year marks its 70th Anniversary;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month strives to reduce the stigma, the negative

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attitudes and misconceptions, that surround mental illnesses; and

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     WHEREAS, One of the main reasons why individuals do not seek professional help is

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due to the stigma that surrounds mental health. Individuals are afraid to seek the help and

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treatment they need because they may be judged, ridiculed and shunned by others or they may

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even judge themselves and as a result, they often live in silence about their undiagnosed mental

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health disorder; and

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     WHEREAS, Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental

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health condition. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their

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background, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or economic status; and

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     WHEREAS, According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.1 percent of adults

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living in the United States have experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year and nearly 1 in

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25 adults in America are living with a serious mental illness; and

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     WHEREAS, Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and according

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to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data & Statistics, 9.8 million adults,

 

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age 18 or older thought about trying to kill themselves in 2015; and

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     WHEREAS, Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental

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health condition. Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to bring about change through

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compassion, concern, open-mindedness, and understanding, and to celebrate the journeys of

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resiliency and recovery of individuals living with mental illness; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby commemorates May of 2019 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" and urges schools,

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businesses, government agencies, and health-care providers to commit to promoting and ensuring

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innovative prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and to spreading awareness through education

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programs and understanding for mental health issues; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and herby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Division of Behavioral

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Healthcare, and the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI).

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