HR893 - Recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month.

      H.R. No. 893       R E S O L U T I O N          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 House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   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.     Hinojosa     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 893 was adopted by the House on May 1,   2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House