PRINTER'S NO. 1610
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 282
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, SCHWANK, HUGHES, STREET, FONTANA,
MARTIN, HAYWOOD, CULVER, COMITTA, DILLON, BROWN, SANTARSIERO,
VOGEL, MASTRIANO AND ROBINSON, MAY 17, 2024
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MAY 17, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of May 2024 as "Mental Health Awareness
2 Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, There are currently millions of Americans with
4 mental health conditions and an estimated 1.8 million adults in
5 Pennsylvania have a mental health condition according to the
6 National Alliance on Mental Illness; and
7 WHEREAS, More than 1 in 5 American adults live with a mental
8 illness and 1 in 5 United States adolescents 13 to 18 years of
9 age is either currently dealing with or at some point suffered
10 from a seriously debilitating mental illness; and
11 WHEREAS, About 5% of United States adults live with a serious
12 mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major
13 depression, including an estimated 447,000 Pennsylvanians; and
14 WHEREAS, Mental illness is subject to change over time and
15 can happen to anybody from any background, although common risk
16 factors include adverse child experiences, trauma, history of
17 abuse, substance use, chronic medical conditions and other
 1 social and biological factors; and
2 WHEREAS, Mental health conditions can create serious daily
3 social-emotional challenges for those that live with them and
4 also play an inexorable role in physical health, particularly
5 increasing the risk of conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart
6 disease and stroke; and
7 WHEREAS, While public opinion has become much more informed
8 and accepting of mental health issues in the last decade, the
9 way our health institutions, businesses, schools and governments
10 respond to our growing understanding of mental health still
11 leaves much room for improvement; and
12 WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1949, "Mental Health
13 Awareness Month" has been a time for the public and our
14 institutions to address mental health challenges and is
15 celebrated by organizations such as the United States Department
16 of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health
17 Services Administration, the National Institute of Mental
18 Health, the American Hospital Association and many others; and
19 WHEREAS, Recognition of "Mental Health Awareness Month"
20 reflects and furthers a national movement dedicated to
21 eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public
22 education and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-
23 being of individuals and families affected by mental illness;
24 therefore be it
25 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize May 2024 as "Mental
26 Health Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to recognize the
27 importance of mental health to individual well-being; and be it
28 further
29 RESOLVED, That the Senate pursue policies that promote the
30 mental health of all of this Commonwealth's residents and its
20240SR0282PN1610 - 2 -
1 parity with physical health in providing mental health
2 resources, education, treatment and insurance coverage.
20240SR0282PN1610 - 3 -