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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Adolescent mental health is a topic of critical |
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concern that has far-ranging implications in Texas and across the |
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nation; and |
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WHEREAS, The American Psychological Association estimates |
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that approximately 20 percent of children in the U.S. have a |
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diagnosable mental health disorder, and less than half of these |
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individuals receive treatment or support; common conditions that |
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affect youth include depression, anxiety, attention deficit |
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hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, eating disorders, and |
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psychosis; and |
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WHEREAS, Mental health disorders can have dangerous and |
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life-threatening impacts on the youth that experience them; suicide |
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is the third leading cause of death in teenagers aged 15 to 19, and |
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62,000 adolescents worldwide died as a result of self-harm in 2016; |
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furthermore, evidence shows that many adolescents engage in |
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risk-taking behaviors and substance abuse as a means of coping with |
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mental health issues; and |
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WHEREAS, Too many young Texans lack access to the treatment |
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and counseling they need to overcome such challenges; moreover, |
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those adolescents who do receive some form of assistance are |
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frequently involved with multiple public agencies, and there is |
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lack of central oversight to coordinate care; and |
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WHEREAS, Developing effective strategies and expanding |
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access to treatment can benefit not only the young people who |
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struggle with adverse mental health conditions but also their |
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families, schools, and communities, and an essential first step in |
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that process is to focus public attention on this urgent health care |
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issue; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate May 5 as Teen Mental Health Awareness Day; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |