SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 468
WHEREAS, Mental health is essential to the overall health
and well-being of every individual, and the observance of
National Mental Health Awareness Month in May provides an
opportunity to highlight the need for greater empathy and support
for Texans experiencing mental health issues; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Alliance on Mental
Illness, approximately one in every five Americans, including
more than 4.7 million adults in Texas, lives with a mental
illness; these conditions affect people of all ages, races,
ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and though they are
common and treatable, the stigma associated with them can be an
obstacle to treatment, recovery, and social acceptance; and
WHEREAS, Cost is another hurdle to receiving effective
treatment, and over one million Texans report being unable to
access the care that they need for a serious mental illness; in
addition, there is a significant demand for crisis support in
Texas, as evidenced by the more than 177,000 calls made to
suicide and crisis line call centers in 2023, underscoring the
need for sustained investment in accessible mental health
services; and
WHEREAS, Mental illnesses often begin early in life, with
around half of cases developing by age 14; every year, close to
half a million adolescents in Texas experience a major depressive
episode, and more than 300,000 have thoughts of suicide; over
18 percent of youth in our state have endured multiple adverse
childhood experiences, which increase the risk of mental
illnesses and substance use disorders in adulthood; despite the
urgent need for mental health care among young people, the
average public school in Texas provides just one school
psychologist for every 2,300 students, a ratio that falls short
of the recommendation of one per 500 students; and
WHEREAS, Promoting awareness and understanding of mental
health needs can help ensure that individuals receive the support
and treatment necessary to lead healthy, productive lives; for
our mental health care system to be effective, it must emphasize
early intervention, prevention, education, and access to quality
behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a means of
educating the public about this critical issue and celebrating
the progress made by those living with mental health conditions,
and it is fitting to acknowledge the vital work being done by
community organizations, peer advocates, families,
professionals, and policymakers across the state to advance
these worthy goals; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby recognize May 2025 as Mental Health
Awareness Month and encourage all Texans to join in supporting
mental health services, education, and outreach in their
communities.
Sparks
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 1, 2025.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate