Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 28

Introduced by Senator Block

(Coauthors: Senators Correa, De León, Leno, and Steinberg)

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Ammiano, Brown, Hall, and Maienschein)

April 1, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 28—Relative to California Mental Health No Stigma Week.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 28, as introduced, Block. California Mental Health No Stigma Week.

This measure would declare May 6, 2013, to May 12, 2013, inclusive, and the first full week of May of every year thereafter, commencing with a Monday, as California Mental Health No Stigma Week.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the state to increase
awareness regarding the negative stigma associated with mental
illness; and

WHEREAS, Stigma is a very real problem for people who have
a mental illness; and

WHEREAS, Every person needs and deserves to feel a sense
of belonging, and not be excluded or ostracized; and

WHEREAS, The most formidable obstacle to future progress
in the area of mental health is stigma, and today, the nation has
the power to tear down that obstacle; and

WHEREAS, Throughout our great state, there are efforts by
public and private mental health agencies that work tirelessly to
educate the public about the harmful effects of stigma; and

WHEREAS, Some of the harmful effects of stigma include
trying to pretend nothing is wrong, refusal to seek treatment,
rejection by family and friends, work or school problems or
discrimination, difficulty finding housing, being subjected to
physical violence or harassment, and inadequate health insurance
coverage of mental illnesses; and

WHEREAS, Of California’s approximately 36.8 million
residents, close to 1,175,000 adults live with a serious mental
illness and about 422,000 children live with serious mental health
conditions; and

WHEREAS, While one in five Americans lives with a mental
disorder, estimates indicate that nearly two-thirds of all people
with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, especially
people from diverse communities; and

WHEREAS, Despite civil rights laws, such as the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, people with mental illnesses often
experience discrimination in education, housing, health care, and
the workplace; and

WHEREAS, According to the California Mental Health Services
Oversight and Accountability Commission’s report of 2007, a
public education campaign can improve the public’s awareness of
unmet needs and reduce the harmful effects of stigma and
discrimination; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the week of
May 6, 2013, to May 12, 2013, inclusive, and the first full week
of May of every year thereafter, commencing with a Monday, as
California Mental Health No Stigma Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.