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2003 SESSION

038074406
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 327
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rules
on January 20, 2003)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Byrne)
Designating the second full week in October, in 2003 and in each succeeding year, as Mental Illness Awareness Week in Virginia.

WHEREAS, medical and psychosocial advances have provided answers for living with mental illness and, in some cases, even preventing serious and persistent mental illness; and

WHEREAS, treatment can work and recovery is increasingly possible, if individuals with mental illness can obtain appropriate and timely services and support; and

WHEREAS, individuals with mental illness who are and have been receiving treatment and support services in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church are contributing and productive members of their community; and

WHEREAS, discrimination, misperceptions, and lack of understanding in the greater community—in addition to barriers such as underfunding, lack of consumer choice, denial of services, waiting lists, and lack of health insurance—continue to be some of the most significant challenges individuals with mental illness face in obtaining the help they need; and

WHEREAS, the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Northern Virginia, the Fairfax–Falls Church Community Services Board, Family TEAMWORK, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Advisory Council, the Northwest Center Advisory Board, the Mount Vernon Center Advisory Board, Pathway Homes, Inc., Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Inc., the Woodburn Foundation, and many individual community members believe that awareness is the first step toward acceptance and support of individuals with mental illness in our community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate the second full week in October, in 2003 and in each succeeding year, as Mental Illness Awareness Week in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly urge the citizens of the Commonwealth to increase their awareness of mental illness and to work to promote greater understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with mental illness; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the director of the Mental Health Association of Virginia so that members of the Association may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate post the designation of this week on the General Assembly's website.