WHEREAS, the health and safety of all Virginians is important to the happiness, prosperity and well-being of our Commonwealth’s families and communities, and it is important to recognize that mental health is a critical component of children’s learning and general health; and,

WHEREAS, addressing the complex mental health needs of children, youth, and families today is fundamental to the future of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and,

WHEREAS, the National Federation of Families National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day theme is “Moving from Awareness to Acceptance”; and,

WHEREAS, 13% of youth ages 12-17 report suffering from at least one major depressive episode in the past year with 50% of all lifetime causes of mental illness beginning by age 14; and, 60% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment; and,

WHEREAS, mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders begin in early childhood; as, one in six children, age two to eight years, have been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder; and,

WHEREAS, suicide is the second leading cause of death in people age 15-19 years with the percentage of mental health related emergency department visits for suicide attempts by teenagers in early 2021 increasing 31% compared to the same period in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and,

WHEREAS, Virginians, as well as agencies and organizations interested in meeting the mental health needs of children, are called to unite on this day to bring awareness to the fundamental necessity of a system of care for children and youth with mental health needs and their families; and,

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that a day should 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 5, 2022 as CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.