LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim Saturday, October 10, 2015, as Mental Health Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Saturday, October 10, 2015,
as Mental Health Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of World Mental Health Day; and
WHEREAS, World Mental Health Day, which is supported by the United
Nations, is annually held on October 10th each year to raise public
awareness about mental health issues worldwide; and
WHEREAS, World Mental Health Day is observed in more than 100 coun-
tries through local, regional and national World Mental Health Day
commemorative events and programs; and
WHEREAS, The first World Mental Health Day was observed in 1992 at the
initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental
health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 coun-
tries; and
WHEREAS, On this day, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this
annual awareness program to bring attention to Mental Illness and its
major effects on people's lives worldwide; and
WHEREAS, This event promotes open discussions on illnesses, as well as
investments in prevention and treatment services; and
WHEREAS, However, stigma surrounding mental illness is a major barrier
that prevents people from seeking the mental health treatment that they
need; and
WHEREAS, Programs during Mental Health Day are designed to create
community awareness and discussion in an effort to put an end to stigma
and advocate for treatment and recovery; and
WHEREAS, Mental disorders affect nearly 12 percent of the world's
population; about 450 million, or one out of every four people around
the world, will experience a mental illness that would benefit from
diagnosis and treatment; and
WHEREAS, The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics for 2002
showed that 154 million people globally suffered from depression, which
is a form of mental illness; and
WHEREAS, According to WHO, mental health is defined as a state of
well-being in which people realize their own potential, can cope with
normal life stresses, can work productively, and can contribute to their
community; and
WHEREAS, Mental health services lack human and financial resources in
many countries, particularly low and middle income countries; and
WHEREAS, More support is needed to promote mental health to increase
people's awareness of this serious issue; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Saturday, October 10,
2015, as Mental Health Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.