2025 -- H 6301

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LC002484

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING MAY OF 2025 AS "MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Cruz,
Ajello, Boylan, Shallcross Smith, Cortvriend, and Potter

     Date Introduced: May 06, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being;

it affects how we think, feel, and act; it also affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and

make choices; and

     WHEREAS, Mental health allows us to maintain relationships, take care of ourselves and

our families, take care of our physical bodies, and respond and adapt to daily life changes; and

     WHEREAS, Nearly 20 percent of children and young people ages 3-17 in the United

States have a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder; and

     WHEREAS, According to Mental Health America (MHA), approximately 20 percent of

teenagers reported having at least one major depressive episode in 2024; and

     WHEREAS, In 2024, The United States suicide rate reached a record high, rising to 14.7

deaths per 100,000 individuals, a 30 percent increase over the past two decades; and

     WHEREAS, Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst people aged 10 – 34

and the 11th leading cause of death in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, A lack of mental health awareness leads to devastating impacts on the well-

being of individuals and society; and

     WHEREAS, Evidence-based mental and behavioral health training teaches adults how to

recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in youth and adults,

and provides skills to use a 5-step action plan to help someone who may be facing a mental health

challenge or crisis, such as suicide; and

     WHEREAS, Teen Mental Health First Aid trainings are proven to reduce stigma and

teach teens how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use

challenges among their friends and peers; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

recognizes "Mental Health Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island. We moreover call

upon citizens, counties, organizations, health care providers, and schools to raise mental health

awareness, provide age-appropriate mental health education and training, and continue helping

Rhode Island citizens live longer, healthier lives; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals.

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LC002484

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