WHEREAS, The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 (the act) would make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals with mental illness and families in mental health crisis; and
WHEREAS, The act would enhance crisis response services, increase mental health workforce, promote early intervention for mental illness, and support integration of mental health, substance use, and primary care; and
WHEREAS, Mental illness affects all segments of society, and can have a devastating effect on the lives and families it touches, especially if left untreated; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 10 million Americans have serious mental illness, but millions are going without treatment as families struggle to find care for their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, The act has wide bipartisan support and recently passed out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce by a vote of 53-0; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate of the State of California requests the Congress of the United States to pass the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 (H.R. 2646), and further requests President Barack Obama to sign that legislation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.
Senate Resolution No. 86 read and adopted by the Senate August 17, 2016.
Attest: _______________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
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