WHEREAS, mental well-being is a core component to ensuring children in Virginia reach their fullest potential; and

WHEREAS, our children are the Commonwealth’s future workforce, entrepreneurs, military personnel, civic leaders, and parents; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety, and education of all Virginians is important to the happiness, prosperity, and wellbeing of our Commonwealth’s families and communities, and it is important to recognize that mental health is a critical component of learning and overall health for the over 2 million children living in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, investing in school-based mental health programs increases access to services and addresses non-academic barriers to success; and

WHEREAS, many mental and behavioral health disorders begin in childhood, and one in six children between the ages of six and seventeen experience a mental health disorder each year, and half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14; and

WHEREAS, the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force, which was established under Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 43, empowers parents with tools and resources to improve children’s mental health outcomes and raise awareness about the harmful effects of social media on children’s mental health; and

WHEREAS, children and adolescents on social media are commonly exposed to inappropriate and harmful content, and those who spend more than three hours a day face double the risk of poor mental health; and

WHEREAS, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and a lack of community awareness related to resources are compounding factors when it comes to our children’s mental health needs; and

WHEREAS, the need for comprehensive, coordinated mental health services for children, youth, and families places upon our community a critical responsibility; and

WHEREAS, our Right Help, Right Now initiative is intended to transform the behavioral health system for all Virginians in the Commonwealth, including children; and

WHEREAS, our historic $1.4 billion investment in mental health and substance use disorder resources ensures that Virginians in crisis have someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go; and

WHEREAS, youth are more likely to thrive as adults if they have one caring adult in their lives, and 81% of children and adolescents report having at least one adult in their life who makes a positive difference; and

WHEREAS, Virginians, along with agencies, families, communities, and organizations interested in meeting the mental health needs of children, are encouraged to unite to bring awareness to the fundamental necessity of a system of care for children and youth with mental health needs to support them where they live, learn, and play; and

WHEREAS, it is important that a day be set apart each year to focus on our children’s mental health and well-being;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 8, 2025, as CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.