83R7776 BK-D

By: J. Davis of Harris 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.