Florida Senate - 2018                            (NP)    SR 1910
       
       
        
       By Senator Farmer
       
       
       
       
       
       34-02533-18                                           20181910__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing February 3-10, 2018, as
    3         “Mental Health Awareness Week” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, an estimated 43.6 million Americans 18 years of
    6  age and older experience some form of mental illness, and an
    7  estimated 7.9 million Americans experience both a mental illness
    8  and a substance abuse disorder, and
    9         WHEREAS, more than 660,000 adults and 181,000 children in
   10  the state live with bipolar disorder, severe depression,
   11  schizophrenia, or another serious mental illness, and
   12         WHEREAS, mental health is essential to achieving one’s full
   13  potential, and mental illness can affect the ability of an
   14  individual to carry out daily tasks, establish and maintain
   15  relationships, or pursue other fundamental endeavors, and
   16         WHEREAS, it is estimated that approximately $193 billion in
   17  lost work earnings are a result of serious mental illnesses, and
   18         WHEREAS, according to the American College Health
   19  Association’s Spring 2014 National College Health Assessment,
   20  14.3 percent of college students were diagnosed with anxiety, 12
   21  percent were diagnosed with depression, and 86.4 percent
   22  reported feeling overwhelmed by the expectations of college, and
   23         WHEREAS, mental illnesses affect people of all ages and all
   24  walks of life, including first responders, who encounter
   25  stresses on the job which can contribute to or worsen
   26  depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, and
   27         WHEREAS, public awareness of mental health issues and the
   28  provision of mental health treatment in a caring and supportive
   29  atmosphere are vital for those struggling with mental illness,
   30  and there are many effective actions that organizations can take
   31  to promote mental health, NOW, THEREFORE,
   32  
   33  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   34  
   35         That in recognition of the need to support the mental
   36  health of the citizens of this state, February 3-10, 2018, is
   37  recognized as “Mental Health Awareness Week” in Florida.