Rep. Switalski offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 410.

            A resolution to declare September 15-19, 2014, as Mental Health No Stigma Week in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, It is in the best interest of the United States to increase awareness regarding the negative stigma associated with mental illness; and

            Whereas, Stigma is a very real problem for people who have a mental illness; and

            Whereas, Every person needs and deserves to feel a sense of belonging and not be excluded or ostracized; and

            Whereas, The most formidable obstacle to future progress in the area of mental health is stigma and today the United States has the power to tear down that obstacle; and

            Whereas, Throughout the United States, there are efforts by public and private mental health agencies that work tirelessly to educate the public about the harmful effects of stigma; and

            Whereas, Some of the harmful effects of stigma include trying to pretend nothing is wrong, refusal to seek treatment, rejection by family and friends, work or school problems or discrimination, difficulty finding housing, being subjected to physical violence or harassment, and inadequate health insurance coverage of mental illnesses; and

            Whereas, One in 4 adults, approximately 61,500,000 people in the United States, experiences mental illness in a given year and 1 in 17, approximately 13,600,000, live with a serious mental illness; and

            Whereas, Approximately 20 percent of youth ages 13 to 18 and approximately 13 percent of those ages 8 to 15 experience severe mental disorders in a given year; and

            Whereas, While 1 in 5 people in the United States lives with a mental disorder, estimates indicate that nearly two-thirds of all people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, especially people from diverse communities; and

            Whereas, Despite civil rights laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, people with mental illnesses often experience discrimination in education, housing, health care, and the workplace; and

            Whereas, According to the Michigan Mental Health and Wellness Commission’s report of 2013, a public education campaign can improve the public’s awareness of unmet needs and reduce the harmful effects of stigma and discrimination; and

            Whereas, The September 15-19 is an appropriate week to designate as Mental Health No Stigma Week; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 15-19, 2014, as Mental Health No Stigma Week in the state of Michigan.