Committee on Health & Environmental Protection
May 24,2017 City Council Meeting
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, one out of every five Americans suffers a mental health disorder during any given year; and,
WHEREAS, the impact of mental illness reaches families, neighborhoods, schools and the workplace; and
WHEREAS, May has been recognized as national Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949; and,
WHEREAS, mood disorders, including major depression and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for those aged 18—44; and
WHEREAS, one person dies by suicide every 13 minutes and approximately 44,000 Americans took their own lives in the past year; and
WHEREAS, mental health is a key component of everyone's overall physical health and emotional well-being; and
WHEREAS, feelings of personal shame and fears of social discrimination prevent many living with mental illness from seeking help; and
WHEREAS, untreated mental illness leads to greater numbers of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, school drop-outs, and suicides; and
WHEREAS, stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and violence against people with mental illness, who are significantly more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violent crimes; and
WHEREAS, greater public awareness about mental wellness can positively transform attitudes towards people with mental illness, so making it easier for our fellow citizens to seek help; and
WHEREAS, we must empower law enforcement, first responders, doctors, and families to help those with the most severe mental illnesses; to ensure that people with mental illness have access to treatment and services; and to fight the stigma associated with mental illness which can prevent people from seeking care; and
WHEREAS, We must enhance our understanding of mental illness and its relationship to other complex societal challenges, including homelessness and substance abuse; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council, assembled this twenty fourth day of May, 2017, do hereby designate the month of May, 2017, as "National Mental Health Awareness Month" in Chicago; and
George A. Cardenas Alderman, 12th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call on citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools to commit to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and to recognize the necessity of accessible, appropriate mental health services for all Chicagoans.