WHEREAS, mental health is an essential component of overall health and wellbeing, and through working together to raise public awareness and reduce stigma around seeking mental health treatment, we can improve the lives of individuals and families experiencing mental health challenges; and

WHEREAS, 50 percent of all mental health disorders begin by age 14 and 75 percent of all mental health disorders begin by the mid-20's; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 4 adolescents aged 12 to 17 have had a substance use disorder or a major depressive episode in the past year; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst people aged 10 - 34 and the 10th leading cause of death in the United States; and

WHEREAS, evidence-based mental and behavioral health training teaches adults how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in youth and adults and provides skills to use a 5-step action plan to help someone who may be facing a mental health challenge or crisis, such as suicide; and

WHEREAS, teen Mental Health First Aid trainings are proven to reduce stigma and teach teens how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers; and

WHEREAS, we stand in solidarity with all people in our state to help end the silence and stigma that for too long has made people feel isolated or alone and has discouraged them from seeking the help and support they need, and above all we are committed to ensuring that children, youth and adults experiencing mental health challenges are treated with the compassion, respect and dignity they deserve;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2024 as

Mental Health Awareness Month

in Maine to shine a light on mental illness and the need for long-term improvements in our mental health care system and increased access to care for all so no one feels alone.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this first day of May Two Thousand Twenty-Four