SR0912 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0912 LRB103 40244 MST 72196 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year; according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and one in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year; and

WHEREAS, Mental health treatment can help make recovery a reality but is not available to everyone; according to NAMI, 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021, and 50.6% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 with a mental health disorder received treatment in 2016; and

WHEREAS, There are various organizations and agencies in Illinois that are paving pathways for identification and treatment of mental illness; and

WHEREAS, Interagency efforts to improve access to services are led by the Chief Officer for Children's Behavioral Health Transformation and the Chief Behavioral Health Officer by streamlining access to care and providing families with consistent transparent solutions to mental health challenges; and

WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the U.S. since 1949, a tradition that continues to this day to raise awareness of mental health; and

WHEREAS, When facing mental or behavioral health concerns, all Illinoisans, regardless of age, zip code, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, race, or ethnicity should have the right to be:

(1) Educated about mental health and social-emotional well-being;

(2) Treated with dignity and respect;

(3) Able to seek help for mental health challenges free from shame or stigma;

(4) Informed about eligibility for mental health and substance use disorder services and programs in understandable language;

(5) Active in developing one's own mental health care plan;

(6) Able to initiate, disengage from, or resume voluntary services;

(7) Assured privacy and confidentiality;

(8) Supported to meet the needs of one's own family; and

(9) Aware of how to find and access mental health services and resources; and

WHEREAS, When facing mental or behavioral health concerns, all Illinoisans, regardless of age, zip code, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, race, or ethnicity should have the right to receive:

(1) Assistance in finding, navigating, and choosing mental health services that fit with one's needs, goals, and values;

(2) Healing-centered care that focuses on recovery, strengths, and goals that supports overall well-being and inclusion in community and family life;

(3) Timely and compassionate healing-centered crisis intervention services;

(4) Culturally informed services and supports that consider the unique needs of each culture and language;

(5) Access to interpretation and translation to facilitate participation in needed services;

(6) Family-focused services that empower and educate parents and caregivers to be prepared and supported in raising healthy children;

(7) Services in one's own community or community of choice;

(8) Information, services, and documentation in the language of one's choice;

(9) High quality, evidence-based, responsive mental health care in the appropriate, least restrictive setting of one's choosing;

(10) Peer support services;

(11) Accurate diagnosis(es) by qualified professionals;

(12) Access to affordable and accessible medication when needed;

(13) Information and documentation about one's own mental health care;

(14) Information about and assistance with understanding the evidence for the effectiveness of services, the estimated timeframes for receiving care, the estimated cost of care, and the availability of financial assistance;

(15) Care that is coordinated across treatment providers, state agencies, and funders; and

(16) Appropriate accommodations to access other rights such as K-12 education; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we endorse these principles as the Mental Health Bill of Rights in an effort to reinforce Illinois' commitment to providing access to families seeking diagnosis and/or treatment of a mental or behavioral health concern; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor and the Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.