2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 58
BY SENATOR LUNEAU
A RESOLUTION
To designate May 4, 2023, as Rural Mental Health Day at the Louisiana State Capitol and
to commend the board of directors, staff, and provider members of the Louisiana
Rural Mental Health Alliance.
WHEREAS, the mental health and well-being of all children, youth, adults, and
families in Louisiana are of fundamental importance to the legislature; and
WHEREAS, mental health is essential to achieve the full potential of an individual,
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 one hundred seventy-nine thousand 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 each day; 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,
to breaking individual and generational cycles of mental illness, and to promoting healing;
and
WHEREAS, recovery from a mental illness requires access to professional and
rehabilitative services and involves families and caregivers as allies in recovery; and
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 58 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full,
productive lives; and
WHEREAS, maintaining an open dialogue regarding mental health conditions
encourages individuals struggling with mental illness to seek help and is an essential
component to fighting the stigma associated with mental illness.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby recognize Thursday, May 4, 2023, as Rural Mental Health Day at the Louisiana
State Capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the citizens of the great state of Louisiana are
encouraged to raise awareness of mental health conditions and services and to break the
stigma surrounding mental illness in the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Katie Corkern, the executive director of the Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2