Bill Text: MI HR0255 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to commemorate the Mental Health Association in Michigan on its 75th anniversary.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2012-05-08 - Adopted [HR0255 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HR0255-Introduced.html
Rep. Kowall offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 255.
A resolution to commemorate the Mental Health Association in Michigan on its 75th anniversary.
Whereas, The Mental Health Association in Michigan was founded in November 1936 and
began operations in 1937; and
Whereas, The Association has endeavored to improve the quality of life for state residents
experiencing mental illness over the past 75 years; and
Whereas, The Association has been and remains renowned for its policy analysis and
governmental advocacy efforts, believing it can do the greatest good for the greatest number
through this approach; and
Whereas, The Association has been in the forefront of many critical mental health advances
during its history including enactment of the state's first school social worker law, establishment
of the first state-operated psychiatric hospital for children, development and subsequent revision
of the state's Mental Health Code, and the initiation of Community Mental Health programming
in Michigan; and
Whereas, The Association has been led by a distinguished group of Michigan citizens serving
as its Board Chairs, including former directors of the Michigan Department of Mental Health,
former legislators, members of the judiciary, clergy, and others; and
Whereas, The Association's work fills a vital role in Michigan, with one in four adults and one
in five children experiencing a mental disorder annually; and
Whereas, Untreated or inadequately treated mental illness causes considerable human
suffering, family difficulties, and negative consequences for society in areas such as justice system
incarceration and homelessness; and
Whereas, Adults with serious mental illness have a lifespan 25 years shorter than the rest of the
population; and
Whereas, Technology improves annually for identifying mental illnesses and helping people
recover from them, yet many public misconceptions about mental illness still remain; and
Whereas, The Association is a recognized leader in current efforts to improve mental health
insurance coverage, divert persons with mental illness from justice system incarceration, promote
better access to treatment mechanisms and combat stigmatization of mental illness; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the Mental Health Association in Michigan on its 75th anniversary. We commend the organization on its effective work of enriching the lives of individuals and families experiencing mental illness and extend best wishes in their future efforts to replace hopelessness and despair with recovery and opportunity.