| R 377 |
| 2026 -- H 8607 Enacted 06/02/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CELEBRATING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 AS "MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Hopkins, Roberts, Santucci, Noret, Read, Azzinaro, Paplauskas, Casey, Bennett, and J. Brien |
| Date Introduced: June 02, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, and raising |
| awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by men is essential to reducing |
| stigma, encouraging help-seeking behaviors, and preventing tragic outcomes such as suicide; and |
| WHEREAS, June is recognized nationally as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month |
| (often aligned with Men’s Health Month), providing an important opportunity to highlight the |
| need for open conversations, accessible resources, and community support for men’s mental |
| health across Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and |
| the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men in the United States experience |
| disproportionately high rates of suicide despite lower reported rates of certain mental health |
| conditions like depression compared to women; and |
| WHEREAS, In 2023, the age-adjusted suicide rate among males was 22.8 per 100,000— |
| nearly four times higher than the rate among females (5.9 per 100,000)—and males accounted for |
| nearly 80% of all suicide deaths in the United States, even though they represent about 50% of |
| the population; and |
| WHEREAS, CDC and NIMH data further indicate that many men who die by suicide do |
| not have a known prior mental health diagnosis, highlighting barriers such as stigma, societal |
| expectations of stoicism, and lower rates of seeking professional help; and |
| WHEREAS, These national trends underscore the urgent need in Rhode Island to |
| promote mental health literacy among men, support early intervention, expand access to |
| culturally appropriate care, and foster environments (in workplaces, families, communities, and |
| faith-based settings) where men feel safe discussing their mental health; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island General Assembly recognizes that addressing men’s |
| mental health strengthens families, workplaces, and communities throughout the state, and that |
| public awareness campaigns during the month of June can play a vital role in saving lives; now, |
| therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes and celebrates the month of June 2026 as "Men's Mental Health Month" in Rhode |
| Island; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island encourages |
| all residents, community organizations, healthcare providers, employers, and state agencies to |
| promote awareness of men’s mental health issues, reduce stigma, and support resources for |
| prevention, treatment, and recovery; 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 Rhode Island Department of Health, the |
| Rhode Island Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), and |
| appropriate advocacy organizations dedicated to men’s mental health. |
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| LC006534 |
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