MICHIGAN SENATE
Senate Resolution No. 120
Offered by Senators Bayer, Cherry, Geiss, Chang, Brinks, McCann, Wojno, Cavanagh, McMorrow and Santana
A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE MAY 2024 AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health Awareness Month has been
observed nationwide since May of 1949 as a way to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by individuals living
with mental health conditions, as well as recognize the efforts of the mental health professionals and caregivers who
stand by them throughout their journey; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) defines mental illness as a mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder that can vary in impact, ranging from no impairment to mild, moderate, and even severe impairment; and
WHEREAS, Mental illness impacts individuals in every community of our state, regardless of age, economic status,
sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality; and
WHEREAS, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) documented, for the
2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, that each year, 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness,
that 1 in 20 adults experience serious mental illness, and 1 in 6 youths ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rates of mental illnesses such as
depression have been increasing in youths aged 6-17 since 2007. While high school students who are gay, lesbian, or
bisexual reported higher rates of poor mental health than their heterosexual peers prior to the 2020 COVID-19
outbreak, data shows that the pandemic only exacerbated their experiences with mental health challenges. This trend
was consistent for teenage girls when compared to teenage boys, with girls being significantly more likely than boys to
have poor mental health before, and particularly throughout, the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, NAMI indicates that individuals living with mental health conditions are more likely to experience
cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, substance use disorders, and unemployment. Youths impacted by mental illness
and mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns are more likely to drop out of high school or repeat a grade between the
ages of 6-17 as well; and
WHEREAS, According to statistics collected by the CDC in 2021, suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death
overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 48,100 people. It was the second leading cause of death among
individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34, the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages
of 15-24, and the fifth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35-44; and
WHEREAS, While much progress has been made to support individuals living with a mental illness since the
inception of Mental Health Awareness Month, continued efforts to raise awareness and understanding about the
prevalence of mental illness, its impacts, and the importance of mental health are crucial to assisting those impacted
live their everyday lives and maintain recovery; and
WHEREAS, We must work together to educate our entire population about what can be done to support the individual
and unique needs of those living with mental illness, eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and
seeking support from mental health professionals, and recognize the impacts that mental health has on individuals,
families, and their communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the members of this legislative body recognize May 2024 as Mental Health
Awareness Month. We strongly support the efforts of national, state, and local partners, and every citizen to actively
engage in public and private efforts to spread awareness about the importance of mental health to the wellbeing of our
communities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we will take appropriate action and support one another to recognize the many physical, emotional, and
social outcomes that mental illness impacts, and work to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and receiving care.
Adopted by the Senate, May 22, 2024.
Secretary of the Senate