Proclamation

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING MAY 2005 AS

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

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WHEREAS, mental illness is a leading cause of disability, both nationally and worldwide, second only to cardiovascular disease in total impact; and

   

WHEREAS, serious and debilitating mental illness and emotional disturbances affect up to 5% of the adult population and up to 10% of our youth each year, and one out of every four families has a mentally ill/emotionally disturbed family member; and

   

WHEREAS, national and California studies consistently find that less than 50% of our communities’ mental health treatment and support needs are met; and

   

WHEREAS, the US Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, the President’s “New Freedom Commission on Mental Health,” and the California “Mental Health Services Act” (Proposition 63) find that there are effective treatments for mental illness and that individuals can recover and become contributing members of our communities; and

 

WHEREAS, stigma and lack of public understanding of mental illness is the single greatest barrier to an individual seeking treatment; and

   

WHEREAS, national mental health advocacy organizations, including the National Mental Health Association and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, have designated the month of May as a time to increase public awareness and support for mental health; and

   

WHEREAS, the San Mateo County Mental Health Board celebrates “ May Is Mental Health Month” through the annual Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Service Awards to honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have acted as mental health champions; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, hereby designates the month of May 2005 as “May Is Mental Health Month” and encourages all citizens of San Mateo County to support the efforts to raise awareness concerning mental health.

 

Dated: May 3, 2005

 

SUPERVISORS:

 
   


RICHARD S. GORDON, PRESIDENT

     
   


MARK CHURCH

     
   


JERRY HILL

     
   


ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

     
   


ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors