Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, mental health is part of overall health; and

WHEREAS, mental health sustains individual’s thought processes, relationships, productivity, and ability to adapt to change; and

WHEREAS, one in five adults experience a mental illness, and one in twenty-five adults live with a serious mental illness; and

WHEREAS, roughly one in five youth ages 13 to 18 live with a mental health condition – half develop the condition by age 14; and

WHEREAS, early identification and treatment can make a difference in successful management of mental illness and recovery; and

WHEREAS, it is important to maintain mental health and to recognize the symptoms of mental illness and seek help when it is needed; and

WHEREAS, every citizen and community can help end the silence and stigma surrounding mental illness; and 

WHEREAS, through public education and civic activities, Virginia remains engaged in the promise to address the challenges facing people with mental illness; and

WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase public understanding of the importance of mental health and to promote the identification and treatment of mental illness;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize May 2020 as MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.