Clawson Declares May as 'Mental Health Month'

The City of Clawson recently announced that it is partnering with Oakland County to support May as Mental Health Month.

Each year, the Oakland County Community Health Authority, along with its provider network, sponsors a variety of activities to bring awareness about mental illness issues to the community, according to the city's web site.

The city published the following proclamation on the web site:

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH MAY 2013

WHEREAS, mental health is critical for our individual well-being and vitality as well as that of our families, communities and businesses; and

WHEREAS, one in four (25%) of all Americans experience a mental health illness that requires treatment at some point in their lives; and

WHEREAS, one in 10 children has a serious mental illness that, if untreated, can lead to school failure, physical illness, substance use, jail and even suicide; and

WHEREAS, May 9th has been designated the National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, mental health recovery is a journey of healing and transformation enabling a person with a mental illness to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her choice while striving to achieve this or her full potential; and

WHEREAS, mental health recovery not only benefits individuals with mental health disabilities by focusing on their abilities to live, work, learn and fully participate in our society, but also enriches the texture of our community and life; and

WHEREAS, the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority has established and is committed to empowering the individuals we serve to live full self-determined lives, embracing recover, resilience responsibility and independence.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, the City of Clawson hereby recognizes May 2013 as Mental Health Month. The City of Clawson calls upon our citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools to recommit our state to increasing awareness and understanding of mental illness, and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illnesses to promote recovery.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I do hereby set my hand, and cause the Corporate Seal of the City of Clawson to be affixed this 7th day of May, 2013.

Penny Luebs, MAYOR