City, county proclaim Mental Health Month, help raise awareness

Bert Nash CEO David Johnson received a proclamation at Tuesday night’s City Commission meeting proclaiming May as Mental Health Month. Douglas County commissioners will also issue a Mental Health Month proclamation. Johnson thanked the city and the county for their support of Bert Nash and promoting good mental health.

The text of the proclamation reads:

“MENTAL HEALTH MONTH”

Office of the Mayor Proclamation Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS: The U.S. Surgeon General states that mental health is fundamental to health, personal well-being, family, and interpersonal relationships, and contributes to community and society; and

WHEREAS: Mental illness affects one in four Americans every year, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or economic status; and

WHEREAS: The U.S. Surgeon General has found that a range of treatments exists for most mental disorders and the efficacy of mental health treatments are well documented; and

WHEREAS: Lawrence, Kansas has made a commitment to community-based systems of mental health care for all residents; and

WHEREAS: The guiding principles of community mental health care have always been comprehensiveness, cost-efficiency, effective management, and high-quality and consumer-responsive services; and

WHEREAS: Mental Health America, the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, and the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center observe Mental Health Month every May to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and illness;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Amyx, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2014, as “MENTAL HEALTH MONTH” in the City of Lawrence and call upon all citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental illness and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illness.