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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DECLARING MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioner unanimously voted to Recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2021; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (WHO), determines mental health as a state of "well-being" in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community; and
WHEREAS, according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2021, there were an estimated 57.8 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with Any Mental Illness (AMI). This number represented 22.8% of all U.S. adults. Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of AMI (33.7%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (28.1%) and aged 50 and older (15.0%). The prevalence of AMI was higher among females (27.2%) than males (18.1%); and
WHEREAS, all Americans face challenges in life that can impact their mental health, whether it is due to the loss of a loved one, socioeconomics circumstances and especially during a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, each business, school, government agency, health care provider, organization and citizen share the burden of mental health problems and has a responsibility to promote mental wellness and support prevention and treatment efforts; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Psychiatrist Association Mental Health Stigma often comes from lack of understanding or fear. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness contribute to both those factors. A review of studies on stigma shows that while the public may accept the medical or genetic nature of a mental health disorder and the need for treatment, many people still have a negative view of those with mental illness; and
WHEREAS, changing the stigma on Mental Health begins with changing the language of ho...
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