SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 468
         WHEREAS, Mental health is essential to the overall health
  and well-being of every individual, and the observance of
  National Mental Health Awareness Month in May provides an
  opportunity to highlight the need for greater empathy and support
  for Texans experiencing mental health issues; and
         WHEREAS, According to the National Alliance on Mental
  Illness, approximately one in every five Americans, including
  more than 4.7 million adults in Texas, lives with a mental
  illness; these conditions affect people of all ages, races,
  ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and though they are
  common and treatable, the stigma associated with them can be an
  obstacle to treatment, recovery, and social acceptance; and
         WHEREAS, Cost is another hurdle to receiving effective
  treatment, and over one million Texans report being unable to
  access the care that they need for a serious mental illness; in
  addition, there is a significant demand for crisis support in
  Texas, as evidenced by the more than 177,000 calls made to
  suicide and crisis line call centers in 2023, underscoring the
  need for sustained investment in accessible mental health
  services; and
         WHEREAS, Mental illnesses often begin early in life, with
  around half of cases developing by age 14; every year, close to
  half a million adolescents in Texas experience a major depressive
  episode, and more than 300,000 have thoughts of suicide; over
  18 percent of youth in our state have endured multiple adverse
  childhood experiences, which increase the risk of mental
  illnesses and substance use disorders in adulthood; despite the
  urgent need for mental health care among young people, the
  average public school in Texas provides just one school
  psychologist for every 2,300 students, a ratio that falls short
  of the recommendation of one per 500 students; and
         WHEREAS, Promoting awareness and understanding of mental
  health needs can help ensure that individuals receive the support
  and treatment necessary to lead healthy, productive lives; for
  our mental health care system to be effective, it must emphasize
  early intervention, prevention, education, and access to quality
  behavioral health services; and
         WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a means of
  educating the public about this critical issue and celebrating
  the progress made by those living with mental health conditions,
  and it is fitting to acknowledge the vital work being done by
  community organizations, peer advocates, families,
  professionals, and policymakers across the state to advance
  these worthy goals; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
  Legislature, hereby recognize May 2025 as Mental Health
  Awareness Month and encourage all Texans to join in supporting
  mental health services, education, and outreach in their
  communities.
 
  Sparks
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 1, 2025.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate