H.R. No. 561

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The observance of Mental Illness Awareness Day on
	February 28, 2013, brings much-needed attention to a serious and
	often misunderstood issue that affects the lives of millions of
	Texans; and
	WHEREAS, An estimated one in four American adults suffers
	from a mental disorder in a given year, and 11 percent of children
	and adolescents have a mental health condition that causes severe
	functional impairment; and
	WHEREAS, Depressive disorders are the leading cause of
	disability worldwide and are associated with a significant risk of
	suicide; among 15- to 24-year-olds, suicide accounts for 12 percent
	of all deaths, more than eight times the rate for the U.S.
	population as a whole; and
	WHEREAS, The effects of mental illness on veterans are a
	growing cause for concern, with an estimated 22 committing suicide
	every day; of the 2.4 million who have served in Iraq and
	Afghanistan, more than 200,000 have been formally diagnosed with
	post-traumatic stress disorder, and experts believe that many more
	could be affected because of inadequacies in screening and
	diagnosis; rates of PTSD are considered to be even higher among
	Vietnam War veterans, with 30 percent of men and 27 percent of women
	experiencing it at some point in their lifetimes; and
	WHEREAS, The stigma associated with mental illness can result
	in discrimination and bullying along with damaging effects on
	relationships with loved ones; although mentally ill individuals
	are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators,
	there is a widespread perception that persons living with mental
	health conditions pose a threat to others; and
	WHEREAS, In spite of its prevalence and debilitating effects,
	mental illness often goes undiagnosed and untreated; roughly half
	of all people experiencing homelessness have mental health issues,
	and nearly eight times more Texans with serious mental illness are
	in jails and prisons than in hospitals, in contrast to the national
	rate of three to one; the availability of resources has further
	declined during the past three years, as states have lost some $4
	billion in mental health funding due to budget cuts brought on by
	the economic downturn; and
	WHEREAS, Today, thanks to new discoveries in genetics, modern
	brain research, and psychiatry, mental illness is no longer the
	frightening mystery that it once was; advances in medical science
	have revealed that serious mental disorders have a biological basis
	similar to physical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes;
	moreover, like the heart, the human brain is a vital organ whose
	illnesses can be successfully treated; and
	WHEREAS, Sophisticated medicines can greatly ease the
	suffering of patients with mental illness and help many return to
	normal, productive, and rewarding lives; studies have shown that
	aiding the mentally ill can also have a positive effect on the
	economy, with a potential return of $23 for every $1 spent on mental
	health services in Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Such organizations as Mental Health America of
	Texas, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Texas, the
	Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, and the Federation of
	Texas Psychiatry work to improve the quality of life of persons with
	mental illness by promoting treatment and prevention, eliminating
	stigma, increasing housing opportunities, and advancing smart
	investment in mental health services; the dedicated efforts of
	these groups and other advocates across the state help to ensure
	that all Texans have access to humane and effective mental health
	care, and in so doing, they stand to greatly benefit our society as
	a whole; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 28, 2013, as Mental Illness
	Awareness Day at the State Capitol and encourage all Texans to learn
	more about this important health matter.
	J. Davis of Harris
	Alonzo
	Burkett
	Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira
	Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr
	Alonzo Gooden Otto
	Alvarado Guerra Paddie
	Anchia Guillen Parker
	Anderson Gutierrez Patrick
	Ashby Harless Perez
	Aycock Harper-Brown Perry
	Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips
	Bohac Herrero Pickett
	Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts
	Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price
	Branch Huberty Raney
	Burkett Hughes Ratliff
	Burnam Hunter Raymond
	Button Isaac Reynolds
	Callegari Johnson Riddle
	Canales Kacal Ritter
	Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
	Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis
	Clardy King of Parker Rose
	Coleman King of Taylor Sanford
	Collier King of Zavala Schaefer
	Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets
	Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell
	Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell
	Creighton Krause Simmons
	Crownover Kuempel Simpson
	Dale Larson Smith
	Darby Laubenberg Smithee
	Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer
	J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson
	S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland
	Deshotel Longoria Strama
	Dukes Lozano Taylor
	Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria
	Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris
	Elkins Martinez Toth
	Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin
	Farias McClendon Turner of Harris
	Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant
	Farrar Miles Villalba
	Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal
	Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Frank Moody Walle
	Frullo Morrison White
	Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman
	Giddings Murphy Wu
	Goldman Naishtat Zedler
	Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 561 was adopted by the House on February
	28, 2013, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House