CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE


                          PROCLAMATION
           MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
                      MAY 2022
WHEREAS, mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, mental illnesses are real and prevalent in our nation, and approximately 9.5% of
American adults ages 18 and over will suffer from a depressive illness (major depression,
bipolar disorder, or dysthymia) each year; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 5 individuals in our community are currently living with a mental health
challenge; and

WHEREAS, everyone experiences times of difficulty and stress in their lives, and should feel
comfortable in seeking help and support to manage these times; and

WHEREAS, we seek to address the disproportionate unmet mental health needs of Black
and Brown community members; and

WHEREAS, engaging in prevention, early identification, and early intervention are as
effective at reducing the burden of mental illnesses as they are at reducing the burden of other
chronic health conditions; and

WHEREAS, with effective treatment, all individuals with mental illnesses – even serious
mental illnesses - can make progress toward recovery and lead full, productive lives; and

WHEREAS, in Charlottesville we are actively working to create a community best able to
meet the needs of its members living with mental health challenges by centering the voices of
residents with lived experience; embracing trauma-informed and person-centered practices;
and dismantling discriminatory policies; and

WHEREAS, by setting aside a month to acknowledge the impact of mental health on
community wellbeing, thus increasing awareness and understanding of available behavioral
health resources in our community and achieving positive outcomes for individuals
experiencing a behavioral health crisis;

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Charlottesville does hereby proclaim
the month of May 2022 as Mental Health Awareness Month, calling upon residents,
government agencies, healthcare providers, public and private institutions including businesses
and schools in Charlottesville to recommit to increasing awareness and understanding of
mental health, the steps our citizens can take to protect their mental health, and appropriate
response to mental health crises.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of May 2022.


_______________________
J. Lloyd Snook, III, Mayor