SR0547 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0547 LRB099 12360 GRL 35528 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The mental health and well-being of the citizens of Illinois is vital to the health of communities and families of the State, along with the State's economic stability; and

WHEREAS, One in four Americans will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, with approximately 1.5 million Illinois adults and more than 300,000 Illinois children diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, The stigma associated with mental illnesses has resulted in people not seeking the care they need and has historically allowed insurance companies to cover mental health benefits differently than other medical benefits; these practices have been accepted and perpetuated by the stigma; and

WHEREAS, Due to the stigma and a lack of access to care, people with serious mental illnesses often do not get the care they need until they are disabled by their illness; as a result, the public sector pays for 60% of all mental health care nationally; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, suicide due to the presence of a mental health condition was the third leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14, and the second leading cause of death for youth and adults between the ages of 15 and 34; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with mental illnesses can and do recover by utilizing treatment regimens, particularly community-based services and supports; more than 60% of Illinois children and 59% of Illinois adults living with a mental health condition do not receive a diagnosis or treatment for their illness; and

WHEREAS, Effective treatment of mental illnesses continues to improve through advances in brain and behavioral research; and

WHEREAS, Data confirms that untreated mental illnesses significantly contribute to lost productivity and absenteeism in the workplace, and that limitations on mental health services increase employers' direct and indirect healthcare costs; and

WHEREAS, Limiting mental health care has resulted in homelessness, institutionalization, and mass incarceration of individuals with untreated serious mental illnesses, the costs of which are borne by taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the month of May is recognized as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in the United States; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the month of May in 2015 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in the State of Illinois.