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010 <br />® E COUNTY <br />Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow <br />PROCLAMATION <br />MENTAL HEALTH MONTH <br />WHEREAS, mental health is essential to everyone's overall physical health and emotional well-being, <br />and <br />WHEREAS, mental illness will strike one in four adults in a given year regardless of age, gender, race, <br />society, religion or economic status, and <br />WHEREAS, many people who have mental illness can recover and lead full, productive lives, but the <br />stigma surrounding mental illness can prevent people from seeking the medical attention they need, <br />and <br />WHEREAS, all Americans, including combat veterans and hurricane victims, are vulnerable to chronic <br />mental health problems associated with trauma and can benefit greatly from early identification and <br />treatment, and <br />WHEREAS, an estimated two-thirds of adults and young people who have mental health disorders are <br />not receiving the help they need and nearly 30,000 American lives are lost each year to suicide and <br />® mental illness, and <br />WHEREAS, the cost of untreated and mistreated mental illness and addictive disorders to American <br />businesses, governments and families has grown to over $100 billion annually, and <br />WHEREAS, community-based services that respond to the needs of the individual and family are cost- <br />effective and beneficial to consumers and the community, and <br />WHEREAS, Mental Health Month is observed every May nationwide by advocacy organizations to <br />raise awareness and understanding of issues related to mental health and to eliminate the stigma <br />associated with seeking mental health services. <br />NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lee County Board of Commissioners does hereby <br />proclaim May 2008, as Mental Health Month in Lee County and call upon citizens, government <br />agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools in Lee County to recommit to <br />increasing awareness and understanding of mental illness and the need for accessible services for all <br />people who suffer from mental disorders. <br />Adopted this 19`h day of May 2008. <br />ATTEST: <br />Robert H. Brown, Chairman <br />Lee County Board of Commissioners <br />0 Gaynell M. Lee, Clerk <br />