The Whereases

Whereas, mental health is part of overall health and sustains and individual’s thought processes, relationships, productivity and ability to adapt to change; and 

Whereas, one in five Americans is affected by mental health conditions, and one in five adolescents will have a serious mental health disorder at some point in their life; and 

Whereas, 50 percent of all mental health disorders begin by age 14 and 75 percent of all mental health disorders begin by the mid-20s; and 

Whereas, early identification and treatment can make a difference in successful management of a mental illness and recovery; and 

Whereas, evidence-based mental and behavioral health training teaches adults how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in youth and adults and provides skills to use a five-step action plan to help someone who may be facing a mental health challenge or crisis, such as suicide; and

Whereas, Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase public understanding of the importance of mental health and to promote the identification and treatment of mental illness

No Therefore, I, Governor J. Kevin Stitt, do hereby proclaim May, 2023 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of Oklahoma.