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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience a mental health condition in a given year; and
WHERES, 1 In 25 adults in the United States experience a serious mental illness in a given year; and
WHEREAS, approximately 46. 6 million adults in the United States face the reality of managing a mental illness every day; and
WHEREAS, half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, but early intervention programs can help; and
WHEREAS, up to 90% of those who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness as revealed by psychological autopsy. 46% of those who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental illness; and
WHEREAS, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. With effective care, suicidal thoughts are treatable, and suicide is preventable; and
WHEREAS, individuals with mental health conditions face and average 11-year delay between experiencing symptoms and starting treatment; and
WHEREAS, common barriers to treatment include the cost of mental health care and insurance, prejudice and discrimination and structural barriers like transportation; and
WHEREAS, even though most people can experience relief from symptoms and support for their recovery in treatment, less than half of the adults in the Unites States get the help they need; and
WHEREAS, people experiencing mental health conditions often face rejection, bullying and even discrimination and stigma; and
WHEREAS, stigma is when someone or you yourself views you in a negative way because you have a mental health condition.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners along with President Toni Preckwinkle and on behalf of the over 5 million residents of Cook County do hereby recognize the month of May as Mental Health Awareness month and hereby offers to provide support, educate and advocacy to individuals that are affected w...
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