ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 88
BY REPRESENTATIVE WHITE
A RESOLUTION
To designate May 4, 2023, as Rural Mental Health Day at the state capitol.
WHEREAS, the mental health and well-being of all children, youth, adults and
families in Louisiana are of fundamental importance; and
WHEREAS, mental health is essential to each person's ability to achieve his or her
full potential, and mental health disorders can affect the ability of an individual to carry out
daily tasks, establish or maintain relationships, or pursue other fundamental endeavors; and
WHEREAS, rural areas comprise roughly eighty percent of Louisiana's total
geographic area and have a chronic shortage of mental health professionals; and
WHEREAS, there are approximately 179,000 adults in the state who are living with
a serious mental illness, including bipolar disorder, severe depression, and schizophrenia,
and one in six of Louisiana's children experience a mental health disorder each year; and
WHEREAS, approximately one individual dies by suicide every twelve hours in
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the delays in treatment for mental health conditions are longer than
many other health conditions; and
WHEREAS, early and effective treatment of mental health conditions is critical to
reducing the number of individuals and families who find themselves in mental health crises
and to promoting healing; and
WHEREAS, recovery from a mental illness requires access to professionals and
rehabilitative services and involves families and caregivers as allies in recovery; and
WHEREAS, individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full,
productive lives.
Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 88 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Thursday, May 4, 2023, as Rural Mental
Health Day at the state capitol and hereby encourages citizens of the great state of Louisiana
to raise awareness of mental health conditions and services and to break the stigma
surrounding mental illness.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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