| R 280 |
| 2021 -- H 6369 Enacted 05/27/2021 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING MAY 25, 2021, TO BE "STOP THE STIGMA DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Casimiro, Alzate, Potter, Hull, Knight, Carson, and Ajello |
| Date Introduced: May 27, 2021 |
| WHEREAS, Every day, millions of people face stigma related to mental illness, causing |
| many to face their mental health challenges for years without help: and |
| WHEREAS, Half of the population will experience some type of mental health challenge |
| over the course of a lifetime; and |
| WHEREAS, In a study by Gomo Health, it was found that nearly 90 percent of people |
| with mental health problems say that stigma and discrimination have a negative effect on their |
| lives; and |
| WHEREAS, Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in America, |
| with over 40 million people suffering from it; and |
| WHEREAS, Negative stigma can affect people with mental health in many ways |
| including, decreased feelings of self-worth and self-esteem, delays in seeking or receiving |
| treatment, increased homelessness and unemployment, and higher rates of incarceration; and |
| WHEREAS, The stigma that surrounds mental health puts up a barrier that we all need to |
| work to take down with a combination of education, awareness, and resources; and |
| WHEREAS, In order to overcome the stigma against mental illness in our society, we |
| must show compassion for those with mental illness, increase access to support systems, talk |
| openly about mental health, and encourage individuals to seek the help and treatment they need; |
| now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| proclaims May 25, 2021, to be "Stop the Stigma Day" and urges communities to increase |
| awareness and education about mental health issues so that everyone feels comfortable reaching |
| out for the support they deserve; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the |
| State of Rhode Island, Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director, Rhode Department of |
| Health, and John Brett, PhD, Program Director, Partial Hospitalization Program at Newport |
| Hospital. |
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| LC002728 |
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