Bill No. 22-20 Special Resolution Mental Health Awareness Month

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Filed in Clerk's Office Mental Health MAY n 4 202_?_ Awareness Month CITY CLERKSOUTHBEND, IN Bill No. 22-20 SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO.4954-22 A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Whereas, Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as "Mental Health Month") has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, reaching millions of people in the United States through the media, local events, and screenings; and Whereas, Mental Health Awareness Month was started in the United States in 1949 by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health), making this year MHA's 70th year celebrating Mental Health Month; and Whereas, each year in mid -March Mental Health America releases a toolkit of materials to guide preparation for outreach activities during Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May, Mental Health America, its affiliates, and other organizations interested in mental health conduct a number of activities that are based on a different theme each year; and Whereas, after the past two years of living through a pandemic, people are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken a toll on their well-being; and Whereas, in 2022 Mental Health Month advocates are advancing the theme of Back to Basics with the goal of providing foundational knowledge about mental health and mental health conditions and information about what people can do if their mental health is a cause for concern; and Whereas, the purpose of Mental Health Month is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses, such as the number of Americans who suffer from depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder; the realities of living with these conditions; and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness. It also aims to draw attention to suicide, which can be precipitated by some mental illnesses. Additionally, Mental Health Awareness Month strives to reduce the stigma (negative attitudes and misconceptions) that surrounds mental illnesses. Now, therefore, be it Proclaimed by South Bend Common Council as Follows: Section I. On behalf of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, we are pleased to honor professionals such as social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses, psychiatrists, and others who work in the mental health profession. Section II. The City of South Bend continues to be made stronger through the mental health achievements of mental health professionals.