Bill Text: MS SC562 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Designate May 2017 as "Mental Health Awareness Month in Mississippi."
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-3)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC562 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC562-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Barnett, Blackwell, Carmichael, Dearing, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Jordan, Kirby, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Witherspoon
Senate Concurrent Resolution 562
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE MAY 2017 AS "MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN MISSISSIPPI" TO FOCUS ON HABITS AND BEHAVIORS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING OR EXACERBATING MENTAL ILLNESSES.
WHEREAS, National Mental Health Month raises awareness about mental illness and related issues in the United States. In recent times, attitudes toward mental health issues appear to be changing. Negative attitudes and stigma associated with mental health have reduced and there has been growing acceptance toward mental health issues and support for people with them; and
WHEREAS, despite this shift in attitude, the idea of a Mental Health Awareness Campaign is not a recent one. In the late 1940s, the first National Mental Health Awareness Week was launched in the United States. During the 1960s, this annual, weekly campaign was upgraded to a monthly one with May being the designated month; and
WHEREAS, during this month, Mental Health America, the main organization which sponsors this event, runs a number of activities which are often based on a theme. Mental Health Awareness Month 2016 focused on relationships and how good relationships are critical to our mental health. Mental Health Awareness will tie this year's Mental Health Month theme to the content of its 2017 Annual Conference: Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll. The Mental Health Month campaign is titled Risky Business, and will educate the public on habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or are signs of mental health problems themselves. The intent behind this theme is to raise awareness of the risks that these types of behaviors present, especially to young people, to help individuals detect these early warning signs, and to provide resources for prevention and early intervention; and
WHEREAS, many mental health problems can be avoided by taking positive lifestyle choices in how we act and think before they can manifest, and it is appropriate that we bring attention to campaigns and activities to encourage citizens to take responsibility for the prevention of mental health issues:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate May 2017 as "Mental Health Awareness Month in Mississippi" to focus on habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, and encourage all Mississippi citizens to understand that mental health is something everyone should care about.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the State Board of Mental Health and the regional community mental health centers for dissemination to the appropriate locations, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
