LRB-3949/1
RAC:amn
2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
August 3, 2017 - Introduced by Senators Johnson, L. Taylor, Larson, Wirch and
Vinehout, cosponsored by Representatives Crowley, Goyke, Vruwink, Hebl,
Zepnick, Fields, Considine, Anderson, Mason, Zamarripa, Sargent,
Spreitzer, Brostoff, Hesselbein, Subeck, Berceau and C. Taylor. Referred
to Committee on Senate Organization.
SJR71,1,1 1Relating to: proclaiming July 2017 as Minority Mental Health Month.
SJR71,1,42 Whereas, anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of
3his or her background, but one's background and identity can make access to mental
4health treatment much more difficult; and
SJR71,1,65 Whereas, minorities have consistently faced more mental health issues than
6the non-Hispanic white population; and
SJR71,1,97 Whereas, minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their
8mental illness, have less access to and availability of mental health services, and
9often receive a poorer quality of mental health care; and
SJR71,1,1110 Whereas, only 25 percent of black people seek mental health help as compared
11to 40 percent of white individuals; and
SJR71,1,1412 Whereas, African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to
13those more than twice above the poverty level, are three times more likely to report
14psychological distress; and
SJR71,2,2
1Whereas, young Latino females are nearly twice as likely as males to think
2about and to attempt suicide; and
SJR71,2,43 Whereas, 2.3 percent of young black and Hispanic people sought mental health
4help in a given year compared to 5.7 percent of young white people; and
SJR71,2,95 Whereas, the concept of mental illness and beliefs about why and how it
6develops have many different meanings and interpretations among Native
7Americans. Physical complaints and psychological concerns are not distinguished,
8and Native Americans may express emotional distress in ways that are not
9consistent with standard diagnostic categories; and
SJR71,2,1110 Whereas, access to mental health services is severely limited by the rural,
11isolated location of many Native American communities; and
SJR71,2,1312 Whereas, Native Americans are the most likely to die from suicide between the
13ages of 15 to 24 compared to any other group of people; and
SJR71,2,1714 Whereas, language barriers make it difficult for Asian Americans to access
15mental health services. Discussing mental health concerns is considered taboo in
16many Asian cultures. Because of this, Asian Americans tend to dismiss, deny, or
17neglect their symptoms; and
SJR71,2,2018 Whereas, nearly one out of two Asian Americans will have difficulty accessing
19mental health treatment because they do not speak English or cannot find services
20that meet their language needs; and
SJR71,2,2221 Whereas, relative to other U.S. populations, Asian Americans are three times
22less likely to seek mental health services; and
SJR71,2,2423 Whereas, stigma, lack of cultural sensitivity, and unconscious and conscious
24reluctance to address sexuality may hamper effectiveness of care; and
SJR71,3,3
1Whereas, LGBT individuals who keep their sexuality hidden are at an
2increased risk of psychological distress. This also prevents them from accessing
3group-based coping resources that buffer against the negative effects of stigma; and
SJR71,3,64 Whereas, individuals who identify as LGBT have faced cases of providers
5denying care, using harsh language, or blaming the patient's sexual orientation or
6gender identity as the cause for an illness; and
SJR71,3,97 Whereas, mental illness plays a role in 90 percent of suicides, and minorities
8are far more likely to experience a mental health issue and difficulties getting
9treatment; now, therefore, be it
SJR71,3,11 10Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature
11hereby proclaims the month of July in 2017 as Minority Mental Health Month.
SJR71,3,1212 (End)
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