Dated: April 24, 2024
RECOGNITION OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
MAY 2024
WHEREAS, South San Francisco recognizes May 2024 as Mental Health Month and will light City Hall in green to encourage all community members to reduce stigma, increase support, and promote wellness to address mental health and substance use conditions; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, one out of every eight San Mateo County adults likely had serious psychological distress in the past year. From 2019 to 2021, San Mateo County youth in grades 7 and 11, reported chronic sadness and hopelessness (29% and 43%, respectively) in the past 12 months; and
WHEREAS, one out of every 24 Californians with a serious mental health condition have difficulty functioning in everyday life and if left untreated, have life expectancies 25 years shorter than the general population; and WHEREAS, every day, millions of people face stigma related to mental health and substance uses conditions and may feel isolated and alone, going years before receiving any help; and
WHEREAS, while mental health conditions are common across all types of demographics, certain communities face inequitable access to services, including people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, youth, and older adults; and WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco is also advancing the mental health of the community by participating in a Community Wellness Crisis Response Team pilot program with the goal of de-escalating mental health crisis calls to 9-1-1 in the community by clinically trained mental health staff; and WHEREAS, if you need suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting. There is help available.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby recognize May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental health and direct members of the community to resources and support for mental health and substance use conditions. _______________________________
James Coleman, Mayor
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Eddie Flores, Vice Mayor
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Mark Addiego, Councilmember
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Mark Nagales, Councilmember
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Buenaflor Nicolas, Councilmember