LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 5, 2016, as Children's Mental Health Awareness Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, The citizens of the State of New York are committed to ensuring
the safety and well-being of our most precious resource, our children,
and to protecting them, in every facet of their daily lives; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 5, 2016, as Children's Mental Health
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, In any given year, 20% of American children will be diagnosed
with a mental illness; and
WHEREAS, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is a day to promote
positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation
of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious
mental health needs and their families; and
WHEREAS, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day raises awareness of
effective programs for children's mental health needs; demonstrates how
children's mental health initiatives promote positive youth development,
recovery, and resilience; and shows how children with mental health
needs thrive in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day efforts will integrate
mental health into every environment that impacts child development from
birth; nurture the social and emotional well-being of children from
birth; and look for and discuss milestones of a child's social and
emotional development from birth; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 5, 2016, as Chil-
dren's Mental Health Awareness 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.