SCR 69: Behavioral Health Awareness Month.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-07-03
Current Status:
Passed
(2025-07-03: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 125, Statutes of 2025.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
This measure would recognize May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California.
This measure would recognize May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California.
This measure would recognize May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California.
WHEREAS, Mental illness is a health condition that impacts our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how individuals think, feel, and act, including how they handle stress, relate to others, and make choices; and
WHEREAS, Substance use disorder is the persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences to self and others; and
WHEREAS, Behavioral health is the term that recognizes the combination of mental illness and substance use disorder that often impacts an individual simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, Mental illness is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States, affecting one out of every four families and victimizing both the person with the illness and those persons who care for and love the person afflicted; and
WHEREAS, Serious mental illness costs Americans approximately $193,200,000,000 in lost earnings per year; and
WHEREAS, Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by 14 years of age, and 75 percent by 24 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 20 percent of children and youth between 3 and 17 years of age, inclusive, in the United States, develop a mental, emotional, developmental, or substance use disorder each year; and
WHEREAS, In October 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Childrens Hospital Association came together to declare a national state of emergency in childrens mental health; and
WHEREAS, Former United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in December of 2021 a move reserved for the most urgent public health challengeshighlighting the COVID-19 pandemics devastating impact on the already dire state of childrens mental health; and
WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, 76 percent of LGBTQ+ high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness; and
WHEREAS, A report done by the Crisis Text Line of youth under 17 years of age that used the service showed that there was a 144-percent increase from 2010 with one in five adolescents 12 to 17 years of age, inclusive, that experienced a major depressive episode; and
WHEREAS, According to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, suicide was the second leading cause of death in individuals 10 to 14 years of age, inclusive, and the third leading cause of death among individuals 15 to 24 years of age, inclusive, in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth; and
WHEREAS, Children under 18 years of age from racial and ethnic minority groups were greater than 4.5 times more likely to experience the grief of losing a loved one during the pandemic compared to their non-Hispanic White peers; and
WHEREAS, In California, there are nearly 45,000 children in the foster care system, and many youth still exit care without the support and guidance they need to successfully transition; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 70 percent of all youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition, and at least 20 percent live with severe mental illness that is usually undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, untreated, or ineffectively treated, thus leaving those detained in the juvenile justice system in a vulnerable condition; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 60 percent of youth in juvenile facilities met criteria for substance use disorder in the year before entering custody; and
WHEREAS, Fifty-seven million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, but fewer than 40 percent of adults living with a mental illness, and slightly more than one-half of youth 8 to 15 years of age, inclusive, with a mental illness, received mental health services in the last year; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has reported that many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time and that 45 percent of those with a mental disorder meet criteria for two or more disorders, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, and cancer, and the severity of the mental disorder strongly relates to comorbidity; and
WHEREAS, NIMH also reported that young adults 18 to 25 years of age, inclusive, had the highest prevalence of any mental illness and serious mental illness compared to older adults; and
WHEREAS, Adults and older adults living with mental illness or substance use disorders often experience additional barriers to care, including stigma, social isolation, underdiagnosis, and fragmented access to behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, Behavioral health challenges among adultsparticularly those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, or chronic illnesscan lead to compounded health disparities and require comprehensive, integrated care; and
WHEREAS, According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, less than one-third of older adults in need of mental health services receive appropriate care, contributing to increased rates of loneliness and social isolation; and
WHEREAS, According to the California Health Care Foundation, older adults are the least likely age group to report having mental health treatment; and
WHEREAS, The integration of behavioral health care, including mental health and substance use treatment, into primary care, housing, and aging services is critical to meeting the needs of Californias diverse and growing adult and older adult populations; and
WHEREAS, Older adults are at increased risk for cooccurring behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders due to life transitions, grief, cognitive decline, and chronic medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, Older adults with untreated behavioral health and substance use disorders are more likely to experience hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and early entry into long-term care; and
WHEREAS, Although mental illness impacts all people, many of those in lower income communities receive less care and poorer quality of care, and often lack access to culturally competent care, thereby resulting in mental health disparities; and
WHEREAS, Some see negative perceptions about mental health care as a significant factor contributing to limited or nonexistent access to care, and some common concerns are stigma, culture, masculinity, exposure to violence, and lack of information and awareness, among many others; and
WHEREAS, According to the California Reducing Disparities Project, being misdiagnosed and given severe mental health diagnoses can be stigmatizing and can affect a persons self-esteem, which, in turn, can discourage a person from seeking help; and
WHEREAS, According to results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46,300,000 people 12 years of age or older had a substance use disorder in the past year, with the percentage of people being higher among American Indian or Alaska Native and multiracial people; and
WHEREAS, The burden of substance use disorder is particularly high among adults involved in the criminal justice system, veterans, individuals with cooccurring mental illness, and those experiencing housing instability; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to improve public awareness of mental illness and to strengthen local and national awareness of brain diseases, so that all those with mental illness may receive adequate and appropriate treatment that will result in their becoming fully functioning members of society; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorder, so that all those with a mental illness are encouraged to reach out to their community and seek treatment without fear of isolation and judgment; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to encourage primary care physicians to offer screenings, to partner with mental health care providers, to seek appropriate referrals to specialists, and to encourage timely and accurate diagnoses of mental disorders; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature wishes to enhance public awareness of mental illness; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California to enhance public awareness of behavioral health needs across the lifespan; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Mental illness is a health condition that impacts our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how individuals think, feel, and act, including how they handle stress, relate to others, and make choices; and
WHEREAS, Substance use disorder is the persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences to self and others; and
WHEREAS, Behavioral health is the term that recognizes the combination of mental illness and substance use disorder that often impacts an individual simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, Mental illness is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States, affecting one out of every four families and victimizing both the person with the illness and those persons who care for and love the person afflicted; and
WHEREAS, Serious mental illness costs Americans approximately $193,200,000,000 in lost earnings per year; and
WHEREAS, Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by 14 years of age, and 75 percent by 24 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 20 percent of children and youth between 3 and 17 years of age, inclusive, in the United States, develop a mental, emotional, developmental, or substance use disorder each year; and
WHEREAS, In October 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Childrens Hospital Association came together to declare a national state of emergency in childrens mental health; and
WHEREAS, Former United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in December of 2021 a move reserved for the most urgent public health challengeshighlighting the COVID-19 pandemics devastating impact on the already dire state of childrens mental health; and
WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, 76 percent of LGBTQ+ high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness; and
WHEREAS, A report done by the Crisis Text Line of youth under 17 years of age that used the service showed that there was a 144-percent increase from 2010 with one in five adolescents 12 to 17 years of age, inclusive, that experienced a major depressive episode; and
WHEREAS, According to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, suicide was the second leading cause of death in individuals 10 to 14 years of age, inclusive, and the third leading cause of death among individuals 15 to 24 years of age, inclusive, in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth; and
WHEREAS, Children under 18 years of age from racial and ethnic minority groups were greater than 4.5 times more likely to experience the grief of losing a loved one during the pandemic compared to their non-Hispanic White peers; and
WHEREAS, In California, there are nearly 45,000 children in the foster care system, and many youth still exit care without the support and guidance they need to successfully transition; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 70 percent of all youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition, and at least 20 percent live with severe mental illness that is usually undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, untreated, or ineffectively treated, thus leaving those detained in the juvenile justice system in a vulnerable condition; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 60 percent of youth in juvenile facilities met criteria for substance use disorder in the year before entering custody; and
WHEREAS, Fifty-seven million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, but fewer than 40 percent of adults living with a mental illness, and slightly more than one-half of youth 8 to 15 years of age, inclusive, with a mental illness, received mental health services in the last year; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has reported that many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time and that 45 percent of those with a mental disorder meet criteria for two or more disorders, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, and cancer, and the severity of the mental disorder strongly relates to comorbidity; and
WHEREAS, NIMH also reported that young adults 18 to 25 years of age, inclusive, had the highest prevalence of any mental illness and serious mental illness compared to older adults; and
WHEREAS, Adults and older adults living with mental illness or substance use disorders often experience additional barriers to care, including stigma, social isolation, underdiagnosis, and fragmented access to behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, Behavioral health challenges among adultsparticularly those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, or chronic illnesscan lead to compounded health disparities and require comprehensive, integrated care; and
WHEREAS, According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, less than one-third of older adults in need of mental health services receive appropriate care, contributing to increased rates of loneliness and social isolation; and
WHEREAS, According to the California Health Care Foundation, older adults are the least likely age group to report having mental health treatment; and
WHEREAS, The integration of behavioral health care, including mental health and substance use treatment, into primary care, housing, and aging services is critical to meeting the needs of Californias diverse and growing adult and older adult populations; and
WHEREAS, Older adults are at increased risk for cooccurring behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders due to life transitions, grief, cognitive decline, and chronic medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, Older adults with untreated behavioral health and substance use disorders are more likely to experience hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and early entry into long-term care; and
WHEREAS, Although mental illness impacts all people, many of those in lower income communities receive less care and poorer quality of care, and often lack access to culturally competent care, thereby resulting in mental health disparities; and
WHEREAS, Some see negative perceptions about mental health care as a significant factor contributing to limited or nonexistent access to care, and some common concerns are stigma, culture, masculinity, exposure to violence, and lack of information and awareness, among many others; and
WHEREAS, According to the California Reducing Disparities Project, being misdiagnosed and given severe mental health diagnoses can be stigmatizing and can affect a persons self-esteem, which, in turn, can discourage a person from seeking help; and
WHEREAS, According to results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46,300,000 people 12 years of age or older had a substance use disorder in the past year, with the percentage of people being higher among American Indian or Alaska Native and multiracial people; and
WHEREAS, The burden of substance use disorder is particularly high among adults involved in the criminal justice system, veterans, individuals with cooccurring mental illness, and those experiencing housing instability; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to improve public awareness of mental illness and to strengthen local and national awareness of brain diseases, so that all those with mental illness may receive adequate and appropriate treatment that will result in their becoming fully functioning members of society; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorder, so that all those with a mental illness are encouraged to reach out to their community and seek treatment without fear of isolation and judgment; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to encourage primary care physicians to offer screenings, to partner with mental health care providers, to seek appropriate referrals to specialists, and to encourage timely and accurate diagnoses of mental disorders; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature wishes to enhance public awareness of mental illness; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California to enhance public awareness of behavioral health needs across the lifespan; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Mental illness is a health condition that impacts our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how individuals think, feel, and act, including how they handle stress, relate to others, and make choices; and
WHEREAS, Substance use disorder is the persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences to self and others; and
WHEREAS, Behavioral health is the term that recognizes the combination of mental illness and substance use disorder that often impacts an individual simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, Mental illness is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States, affecting one out of every four families and victimizing both the person with the illness and those persons who care for and love the person afflicted; and
WHEREAS, Serious mental illness costs Americans approximately $193,200,000,000 in lost earnings per year; and
WHEREAS, Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by 14 years of age, and 75 percent by 24 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 20 percent of children and youth between 3 and 17 years of age, inclusive, in the United States, develop a mental, emotional, developmental, or substance use disorder each year; and
WHEREAS, In October 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Childrens Hospital Association came together to declare a national state of emergency in childrens mental health; and
WHEREAS, Former United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in December of 2021 a move reserved for the most urgent public health challengeshighlighting the COVID-19 pandemics devastating impact on the already dire state of childrens mental health; and
WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, 76 percent of LGBTQ+ high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness; and
WHEREAS, A report done by the Crisis Text Line of youth under 17 years of age that used the service showed that there was a 144-percent increase from 2010 with one in five adolescents 12 to 17 years of age, inclusive, that experienced a major depressive episode; and
WHEREAS, According to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, suicide was the second leading cause of death in individuals 10 to 14 years of age, inclusive, and the third leading cause of death among individuals 15 to 24 years of age, inclusive, in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth; and
WHEREAS, Children under 18 years of age from racial and ethnic minority groups were greater than 4.5 times more likely to experience the grief of losing a loved one during the pandemic compared to their non-Hispanic White peers; and
WHEREAS, In California, there are nearly 45,000 children in the foster care system, and many youth still exit care without the support and guidance they need to successfully transition; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 70 percent of all youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition, and at least 20 percent live with severe mental illness that is usually undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, untreated, or ineffectively treated, thus leaving those detained in the juvenile justice system in a vulnerable condition; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 60 percent of youth in juvenile facilities met criteria for substance use disorder in the year before entering custody; and
WHEREAS, Fifty-seven million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, but fewer than 40 percent of adults living with a mental illness, and slightly more than one-half of youth 8 to 15 years of age, inclusive, with a mental illness, received mental health services in the last year; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has reported that many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time and that 45 percent of those with a mental disorder meet criteria for two or more disorders, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, and cancer, and the severity of the mental disorder strongly relates to comorbidity; and
WHEREAS, NIMH also reported that young adults 18 to 25 years of age, inclusive, had the highest prevalence of any mental illness and serious mental illness compared to older adults; and
WHEREAS, Adults and older adults living with mental illness or substance use disorders often experience additional barriers to care, including stigma, social isolation, underdiagnosis, and fragmented access to behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, Behavioral health challenges among adultsparticularly those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, or chronic illnesscan lead to compounded health disparities and require comprehensive, integrated care; and
WHEREAS, According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, less than one-third of older adults in need of mental health services receive appropriate care, contributing to increased rates of loneliness and social isolation; and
WHEREAS, According to the California Health Care Foundation, older adults are the least likely age group to report having mental health treatment; and
WHEREAS, The integration of behavioral health care, including mental health and substance use treatment, into primary care, housing, and aging services is critical to meeting the needs of Californias diverse and growing adult and older adult populations; and
WHEREAS, Older adults are at increased risk for cooccurring behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders due to life transitions, grief, cognitive decline, and chronic medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, Older adults with untreated behavioral health and substance use disorders are more likely to experience hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and early entry into long-term care; and
WHEREAS, Although mental illness impacts all people, many of those in lower income communities receive less care and poorer quality of care, and often lack access to culturally competent care, thereby resulting in mental health disparities; and
WHEREAS, Some see negative perceptions about mental health care as a significant factor contributing to limited or nonexistent access to care, and some common concerns are stigma, culture, masculinity, exposure to violence, and lack of information and awareness, among many others; and
WHEREAS, According to the California Reducing Disparities Project, being misdiagnosed and given severe mental health diagnoses can be stigmatizing and can affect a persons self-esteem, which, in turn, can discourage a person from seeking help; and
WHEREAS, According to results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46,300,000 people 12 years of age or older had a substance use disorder in the past year, with the percentage of people being higher among American Indian or Alaska Native and multiracial people; and
WHEREAS, The burden of substance use disorder is particularly high among adults involved in the criminal justice system, veterans, individuals with cooccurring mental illness, and those experiencing housing instability; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to improve public awareness of mental illness and to strengthen local and national awareness of brain diseases, so that all those with mental illness may receive adequate and appropriate treatment that will result in their becoming fully functioning members of society; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorder, so that all those with a mental illness are encouraged to reach out to their community and seek treatment without fear of isolation and judgment; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to encourage primary care physicians to offer screenings, to partner with mental health care providers, to seek appropriate referrals to specialists, and to encourage timely and accurate diagnoses of mental disorders; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature wishes to enhance public awareness of mental illness; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California to enhance public awareness of behavioral health needs across the lifespan; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Jul 3, 2025 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 125, Statutes of 2025. |
| Jul 3, 2025 | Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State at 2 p.m. |
| Jun 27, 2025 | In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Jun 27, 2025 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 2344.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Jun 23, 2025 | From committee: Be adopted. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 23). |
| Jun 5, 2025 | Referred to Com. on RLS. |
| May 28, 2025 | In Assembly. Held at Desk. |
| May 28, 2025 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1268.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| May 7, 2025 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| Apr 28, 2025 | Introduced. Referred to Com. on RLS. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 2025 | SCR 69 Weber Pierson Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 23, 2025 | Be adopted. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Rules |
Passed |
|
| May 28, 2025 | Senate 3rd Reading SCR69 Weber Pierson et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
Date of Hearing: June 23, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
, Chair
SBPCA Bill Id:
Author:() – As Ver:April 28, 2025
SENATE VOTE: 38-0
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY: Recognizes May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California to enhance public awareness of behavioral health needs across the lifespan. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Mental illness is a health condition that impacts our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and affects how an individual thinks, feels, and acts, including how they handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Substance use disorder is the persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences to self and others.
- Behavioral health is the term that recognizes the combination of mental illness and substance use disorder that often impact an individual simultaneously.
- Nearly 20 percent of children and youth between 3 and 17 years of age, inclusive, in the United States develop a mental, emotional, developmental, or substance use disorder each year.
- In California, there are nearly 45,000 children in the foster care system, and many youth still exit care without the support and guidance they need to successfully transition out of the system.
- An estimated 70 percent of all youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition and at least 20 percent live with severe mental illness that is usually undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, untreated, or ineffectively treated, thus leaving those detained in the juvenile justice system in a vulnerable condition.
- An estimated 60 percent of youth in juvenile facilities met criteria for substance use disorder in the year before entering custody.
- Adults and older adults living with mental illness or substance use disorders often experience additional barriers to care, including stigma, social isolation, under-diagnosis, and fragmented access to behavioral health services.
- Behavioral health challenges among adults—particularly those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, or chronic illness—can lead to compounded health disparities and require comprehensive, integrated care.
- The integration of behavioral health care, including mental health and substance use treatment, into primary care, housing, and aging services is critical to meeting the needs of California’s diverse and growing adult and older adult populations.
- Older adults are at increased risk for co-occurring behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders due to life transitions, grief, cognitive decline, and chronic medical conditions.
- There is a need to improve public awareness of mental illness and to strengthen local and national awareness of brain diseases so that all those with mental illness may receive adequate and appropriate treatment that will result in their becoming fully functioning members of society.
- There is a need to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorder, so that all those with a mental illness are encouraged to reach out to their community and seek treatment without fear of isolation and judgment.
FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SCR 69 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 69
Author: Weber Pierson (D), et al.
Introduced: 4/28/25
Vote: 21
SUBJECT: Behavioral Health Awareness Month
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This resolution recognizes May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Mental illness is a health condition that impacts our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how individuals think, feel, and act, including how they handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Substance use disorder is the persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences to self and others. Behavioral health is the term that recognizes the combination of mental illness and substance use disorder that often impacts an individual simultaneously.
- Nearly 20% of children and youth between 3 and 17 years of age, inclusive, in the United States, develop a mental, emotional, developmental, or substance use disorder each year.
- Fifty-seven million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, but fewer than 40% of adults living with a mental illness, and slightly more than one-half of youth 8 to 15 years of age, inclusive, with a mental illness, received mental health services in the last year.
- There is a need to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorder, so that all those with a mental illness are encouraged to reach out to their community and seek treatment without fear of isolation and judgment.
This resolution recognizes May 2025 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California to enhance public awareness of behavioral health needs across the lifespan.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 5/6/25)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/6/25)
None received
Prepared by: Hunter Flynn / SFA / (916) 651-1520
5/7/25 16:20:52
**** END ****
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
