HR0478 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0478 LRB099 12273 GRL 35254 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community; and

WHEREAS, There is a stigma around mental health issues that can often prevent informed conversations on mental health issues as well as proper treatment from taking place; removing the stigma surrounding mental health issues will allow those suffering with mental health issues to more easily seek treatment and gain an understanding of their condition; and

WHEREAS, Mental illnesses are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior, or some combination thereof, associated with distress or impaired functioning; behavioral health is defined as the behaviors and biology relating to a person's mental well-being, ability to function in everyday life, and concept of self; and

WHEREAS, Mental illnesses take on a wide variety of forms, including, but not limited to, mood disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, dementias, and eating disorders, which can be associated with learning disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Learning disabilities are neurologically based mental processing disabilities that can give rise to difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills; learning disabilities include, but are not limited to, autism, dyslexia, visual processing disorders, auditory processing disorders, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia; and

WHEREAS, Children with learning disabilities are disproportionately affected by mental health issues; 36% of children with a learning disability will also develop mental health issues; and

WHEREAS, Mental health is essential to one's overall health and well-being, and mental health issues can strike a person regardless of his or her age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or economic status; and

WHEREAS, There is a lack of awareness of how to treat mental health issues and of resources available for that purpose; there is also a crisis of unaddressed mental health issues in the United States and the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Those suffering from a mental illness and their loved ones often do not understand how to identify the symptoms and warning signs; and

WHEREAS, Untreated mental health issues lead to lost potential and numerous societal problems, such as increased incarceration rates, substance abuse rates, and emergency room visits; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are an estimated 43.7 million adults with a mental disorder, or 18.6% of the total adult population in the United States; just over 20% of American children, either currently or at some point during their life, have or will have a seriously debilitating mental disorder; and

WHEREAS, The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that only 58.7% of adults in the United States with a serious mental illness received treatment for a mental health problem; and

WHEREAS, The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that only 50.6% of children with mental disorders had received treatment for their disorder within the past year; and

WHEREAS, With proper treatment, many mental health problems can dissipate or be reduced to a level where the person can fully function; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, successful treatment rates for mental illness are extremely high and range from between 60% to 80%; the successful treatment rate for schizophrenia is roughly 60%, while depression is 70% and bipolar disorder is 80%; and

WHEREAS, People with mental illness who are in treatment can lead full, productive lives in their communities; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 89.3 million Americans live in federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage areas, where there is little to no access to mental health professionals; and

WHEREAS, A Journal of Psychiatric Services survey found that 47% of people untreated for mental health issues reported cost as a reason not to seek treatment; the same survey also found that 66% of untreated mental health patients did not go to a doctor because they thought the problem would get better on its own; and

WHEREAS, Six of 12 City of Chicago public mental health clinics were closed in 2012; and

WHEREAS, A total of 64.2% of inmates in local jails satisfied the criteria for a mental health problem currently or in the previous year; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of Justice's Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities found that fewer than half of inmates with a mental health problem have ever received treatment and only one-third received mental health treatment after admission; and

WHEREAS, The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that states collectively cut $1.8 billion from their mental health budgets during the recession; the organization also found that, from 2009 to 2012, Illinois cut mental health funding by $187 million, a 31.7% reduction; Illinois cut the fourth most of any state during this time period; and

WHEREAS, The Affordable Care Act makes behavioral and mental health treatment available to people throughout the country, especially those who could not previously afford treatment; and

WHEREAS, Mental health issues influence all branches of State government, including public health, children and family services, criminal justice, housing, employment, and other services; and

WHEREAS, It should be a fundamental goal of the State of Illinois to ensure proper awareness, identification, and treatment for mental health issues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we acknowledge the seriousness of mental health issues in Illinois and strive to improve awareness and treatment of these issues; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the members of the General Assembly to have discussions and forums with their communities to promote awareness of mental health issues and access to mental health resources; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the members of the General Assembly and all school districts in Illinois to post information on mental health issues and local treatment resources on their public websites; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage all school districts in Illinois to implement mental health screenings to properly identify students with mental health problems; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the federal government to improve mental health awareness, treatment, and funding to improve the lives of citizens struggling with mental health issues; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to President Barack Obama, the United States House of Representatives, and the United States Senate to review and discuss at the national level.