Senate Resolution No. 719 BY: Senator PERSAUD MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 10, 2023, as Mental Health Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 10, 2023, as Mental Health Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Mental Health Day; and WHEREAS, World Mental Health Day was observed for the first time in 1992 and continues to be the official day of commemoration every year; it was started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter; and WHEREAS, World Mental Health Day has become the largest and most widely promoted education and advocacy program of the World Federation for Mental Health; and WHEREAS, Every year, approximately 42.5 million American adults suffer from some mental illness, enduring conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia; these conditions lead to physical harm or even death; and WHEREAS, In New York, one in five people have a mental health disorder with 8% of the population suffering from symptoms of depression; and WHEREAS, The objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health; the day provides an opportunity for all stake-holders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what needs to be done to make mental healthcare a reality for people worldwide; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 10, 2023, as Mental Health Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.