May Proclaimed Mental Health Awareness Month by Santa Fe County

The Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation (see below) declaring the Month of May 2017 as Mental Health Awareness Month during the May 2, 2017 Board meeting.

As part of Mental Health Awareness month, the Santa Fe County Mobile Health Van will be focusing on providing free mental health screenings, including on the following dates and locations:
Monday, May 8, 2017 – Pasatiempo City Housing from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 – Solana Shopping Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Monday, May 22, 2017 – Villa Consuelo City Housing from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Free mental health screenings for depression, generalized anxiety, and PTSD are available any time the Mobile Health Van is out. For more information on the Mobile Health Van please visit www.santafecountynm.gov/community_services/hhsd/mhv

Santa Fe County Proclamation
The Board of County Commissioners of Santa Fe County

Proclaiming the Month of May 2017 as
Mental Health Awareness Month

WHEREAS, the month of May is designated as National Mental Health Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, mental illness is a leading cause of disability in the United States; and
WHEREAS, nearly 44 million American adults, and millions of children, experience mental health conditions each year, which include depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress; and
WHEREAS, one in five adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year and one in 17 adults lives with a mental illness; and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico suicide rate is 59% higher than the United States average; and
WHEREAS, the suicide rate in Santa Fe County is nearly twice the national average; and
WHEREAS, jails and prisons have often become the default places of custodial care for even nonviolent people with serious mental illnesses, which occurs at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Santa Fe County Health Action Plan FY, which focuses County efforts on addressing mental and behavioral health issues including reducing suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol abuse amongst our residents; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 the Santa Fe County Community Services Department committed funds for the development and operation of a Mobile Crisis Response Team to reduce suicide rates in Santa Fe County; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 Santa Fe County held a Behavioral Health Summit to discuss and plan for the development of new services to address mental and behavioral health issues in our County; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 Santa Fe County passed a bond that committed $2.0 million dollars in capital funds toward the development of a crisis triage center for residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis; and
WHEREAS, Santa Fe County has provided consistent funding for people with mental health disorders in the areas of primary and secondary prevention, as well as treatment; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners and the Santa Fe County Community Services Department have consistently supported and funded programs and policies to address mental and behavioral health issues; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Fe County Mobile Health Van will be conducting free mental health screenings at the Santa Fe Community College, Solana Center, and other locations during the month of May.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Board of County Commissioners of Santa Fe County that the month of May 2017 is:

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED that government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools in Santa Fe County be encouraged to renew the commitment to ridding our society of the stigma associated with mental illness, encourage those living with mental health conditions to get the help they need, and reaffirm our pledge to ensure those who need help have access to the support, acceptance, and resources they deserve.

APPROVED, ADOPTED, AND PASSED ON THIS 2nd DAY OF MAY 2017.