The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is pleased to announce that Governor Josh Shapiro has proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month!
During Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor the courage of Pennsylvanians living with mental health conditions, and we celebrate the loved ones and mental health professionals who are there for them every day. Together, we will keep fighting to get everyone access to the care they need to live full and happy lives.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Proclamation by the Governor
WHEREAS, the mental health of every Pennsylvanian is essential to the prosperity and well-being of the families and communities throughout our Commonwealth, and mental health conditions are common and impact people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, mental health advocacy is crucial to raising public awareness, breaking down stigma and discrimination, encouraging self-advocacy, delivering timely and quality mental health services, and supporting people with mental health conditions; and
WHEREAS, early identification, intervention, and treatment of mental health conditions can improve -and even save lives, and it is important to learn the signs and symptoms of these conditions in order to seek and receive help when it is needed; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the significant role that the dedicated network of advocates, professionals, state leaders and agencies, local governments, and community providers play in the delivery of services and support for individuals, their families, and our communities; and
WHEREAS, this month-long observation puts conversations surrounding mental health at the forefront, and has been a catalyst for setting the groundwork for a state-wide network of assistance programs, safe-spaces, and resources; and
WHEREAS, we strive to create communities in our Commonwealth that support mental wellness by increasing access to treatment, educating ourselves and our communities about the effects of trauma, mental well-being, and mental health challenges, and supporting our fellow Pennsylvanians as they seek to improve their mental health; and
WHEREAS, the commitment to prioritizing and championing mental health is a commitment to creating healthier and stronger communities where all Pennsylvanians can thrive.
THEREFORE, I, Josh Shapiro, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2024 to be MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.
I encourage Pennsylvanians to join with their families, government agencies, public and private institutions. businesses. schools, and communities to share their stories. increase awareness and understanding of mental health, and to recognize the necessity of accessible, appropriate, and affordable mental health resources, services, and support for all Pennsylvanians.
GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this twenty-third day of April two thousand twenty-four, the year of the Commonwealth the two hundred forty-eighth.
Governor Josh Shapiro