Vermont HCR 154: House concurrent resolution recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont

Bill Text

R-185 Page 1 of 1
2025

VT LEG #384119 v.1
No. R-185. House concurrent resolution recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health
Awareness Month in Vermont.
(H.C.R.154)
Offered by Representatives Berbeco of Winooski and Cina of Burlington
Whereas, good mental health is essential to overall health and well-being, and
Whereas, according to Mental Health America, “nearly one in five adults will have a
diagnosable mental health condition in any given year,” and “46 percent of Americans
will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their
life,” and
Whereas, the Vermont Department of Health’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
documented that 34 percent of Vermont high school students had “struggle[d] with poor
mental health,” for the prior 30 days, with female and LGBTQ+ students having reported
even higher rates of mental health difficulties, and
Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented that during the
past decade there was a 65 percent rise in the percentage of adult Vermonters (an increase
from 9.6 percent to 15.8 percent) who reported frequent mental health distress, and
NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness) Vermont recently noted that fewer than
half of adults and youth with a mental illness receive treatment, and
Whereas, individuals with mental health challenges can lead full, productive lives and
make important contributions to our communities, and
Whereas, promoting mental health awareness and offering early intervention are
effective ways to assist mental health and wellness, and
Whereas, ensuring timely access to quality care and closing the treatment gap can lead
to healthier outcomes for individuals, communities, and our nation, and
Whereas, businesses, government agencies, health care providers, individuals, and
schools all stand to benefit from an improvement in the mental health of Vermonters, and
Whereas, in 1949, Mental Health America designated May as Mental Health
Awareness Month, with the mission of raising awareness and educating the public about
mental health; and this month is an opportunity to effectuate change through compassion,
concern, open-mindedness, and understanding and to celebrate the resiliency of
individuals living with mental health conditions, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly recognizes May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month
in Vermont, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
NAMI Vermont, to the Vermont Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery,
and to the Commissioner of Mental Health.