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