TITLE
Title
PROCLAIM MAY 2024 AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
end
SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner Mary Beth Murphy
end
RESOLUTION
Resolution
WHEREAS, mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your feelings and behave; and
WHEREAS, sometimes people experience significant irregularities in managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors which can cause distress or disrupt a person's ability to function; and may indicate a more complex underlying mental health disorder; and
WHEREAS, nearly one in five adults and one in five adolescents in the United States live with a mental illness; and
WHEREAS, mental health impacts a person’s emotional, social, environmental, financial and overall well-being, with notable disparities among racially and ethnically diverse communities; and
WHEREAS, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, with teenagers experiencing a 17.3% increase in the use of anxiety medications since 2010; and
WHEREAS, during calendar year 2023 the Guilford County Behavioral Health Center served more than 1,176 youth ranging in age from 6 to 15; there were more than 10,359 visits to the Behavioral Health Urgent Care; and more than 9,863 visits to the adult Behavioral Health Outpatient clinic; and
WHEREAS, one third of the United States population lives in a county designated as a mental health professional shortage area, including many North Carolinians; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 44% of residents detained in jails are living with a mental illness, often with co-occurring substance use disorders, and 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health condition; and
WHEREAS, Guilford County is pleased to provide EMT support to the City of Greensboro’s Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT), a unit of GPD specially trained to handle incidents involving someone with mental illness and those in crisis with care and expertise, ensuring such persons receive appropriate responses based on their needs; and
WHEREAS, through our Behavioral Health Center and partnerships, Guilford County serves as a safety net for residents in need; and
WHEREAS, any resident experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis may visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care for help or may call or text 9-8-8 to reach trained counselors at the national mental health crisis line; and
WHEREAS, it is critical to “Break the Stigma” and talk about mental health openly as we do any other physical health condition; and
WHEREAS, by Breaking the Stigma around mental health, we can save lives by normalizing access to care and health management; and
WHEREAS, Guilford County government will join our partners in behavioral and mental health for a "Rock the Block" Mental Health Resource Fair & Block Party on May 17 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM at the Guilford County Behavioral Health Center, where people can access more information on resources, services and programs available to support mental wellness.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month and encourages all citizens to increase their awareness and understanding of mental illness, improve the array of mental health services for consumers of all ages, and ensure those who struggling know they are not alone.
ADOPTED this 16th day of May 2024.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the corporate seal of the County of Guilford to be affixed, this the 16th day of May 2024.
Melvin “Skip” Alston, Chairman, Guilford County Board of Commissioners
end
REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Adopt Proclamation declaring May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Guilford County.
end