Senate Resolution No. 2165

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 2017, as Mental Health Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase
awareness of serious health conditions 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2017, as Mental
Health Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Approximately one in five adults in the United States (43.8
million or 18.5%) experiences mental illness in a given year; and

WHEREAS, Approximately one in 25 adults in the United States (10
million or 4.2%) experiences a serious mental illness in a given year
that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life
activities; and

WHEREAS, Approximately one in five youth aged 13-18 (21.4%)
experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life;
for children aged 8-15, the estimate is 13%; and

WHEREAS, 1.1% of adults in the United States live with
schizophrenia; and

WHEREAS, 2.6% of adults in the United States live with bipolar
disorder; and

WHEREAS, 6.9% of adults in the United States (16 million) had at
least one major depressive episode in the past year; and

WHEREAS, 18.1% of adults in the United States experienced an anxiety
disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder and specific phobias; and

WHEREAS, Among the 20.2 million adults in the United States who
experienced a substance use disorder (50.5%-10.2 million adults) had a
co-occurring mental illness; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, 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 2017, as Mental
Health Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.