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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 240
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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join Texans across the state in observing February 28, 2013, as |
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Mental Illness Awareness Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Mental disorders are the leading cause of |
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disability in the United States; in Texas, approximately one in |
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four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given |
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year, while some 11 percent of Texas children have a mental |
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illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in |
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Texans from age 15 to 24; and |
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WHEREAS, Mental health funding has been cut by billions of |
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dollars across the nation; with thousands of psychiatric beds no |
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longer available, many people with mental illness end up in jail |
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or prison; nearly half of all people experiencing homelessness |
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suffer from mental health issues; and |
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WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress disorder has become a |
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serious problem among our nation's military veterans; the United |
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States Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that nearly one |
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third of Vietnam veterans and at least 200,000 veterans of Iraq |
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and Afghanistan suffer from the disease; veterans are also at a |
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higher risk for suicide; and |
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WHEREAS, Those suffering from mental illnesses continue to |
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face social stigma and are often subject to bullying, |
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discrimination, and lack of understanding; individuals with |
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mental disorders are more likely to be victims than perpetrators |
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of violence; and |
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WHEREAS, Medical science has made exceptional strides in |
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diagnosing and treating mental disorders; there is a growing |
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realization that most mental illnesses have a biological basis |
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and that sophisticated medicines can end the suffering of most |
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patients so that they can return to productive and rewarding |
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lives; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
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Legislature, hereby commend all those who are working to prevent |
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and treat mental illnesses and extend to them best wishes for a |
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successful and memorable Mental Illness Awareness Day at the |
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Capitol; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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honor of this special occasion. |
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Huffman |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 27, 2013. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |