PRINTER'S NO. 1589
No. 261 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, KITCHEN, FERLO, WAGNER, KUKOVICH, TARTAGLIONE, BOSCOLA, CORMAN, ERICKSON, STOUT, COSTA, KASUNIC, O'PAKE, LOGAN AND SCHWARTZ, MAY 3, 2004
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 3, 2004
A RESOLUTION 1 Recognizing May 4, 2004, as "Childhood Depression Awareness Day" 2 in Pennsylvania. 3 WHEREAS, Depression affects as many as one in every 33 4 children and 1 in 8 adolescents, but fewer than a third receive 5 appropriate care; and 6 WHEREAS, By failing to provide services for children with 7 mental health problems, we jeopardize their social and academic 8 development and put them at risk for more serious problems later 9 in life; and 10 WHEREAS, Consequences of untreated depression include social 11 isolation, difficulties at home and school and an increased risk 12 of suicide; and 13 WHEREAS, The symptoms of depression may look different in 14 youths than in adults and, as a result, are often overlooked or 15 misunderstood; and 16 WHEREAS, Warning signs of depression in a child or adolescent 17 include sad, hopeless or irritable feelings, falling behind in
1 school or earning lower grades, losing interest in friends or 2 activities usually enjoyed, avoiding people or wanting to be 3 alone all of the time, talking about suicide or death, hurting 4 other people or animals, damaging property and experiencing 5 major changes in eating or sleeping habits; and 6 WHEREAS, Once a child experiences an episode of depression, 7 he or she is at risk of having another episode within the next 8 five years; and 9 WHEREAS, Promoting mental health awareness and knowing the 10 warning signs of mental health problems are essential to 11 improving and saving young people who may be at risk for 12 depression and other mental illnesses; and 13 WHEREAS, "Childhood Depression Awareness Day" was established 14 in 1997 by a mother whose child had depression; and 15 WHEREAS, On May 4, 2004, thousands of children, families, 16 physicians and advocates will be working in communities 17 nationwide to get the word out that childhood depression is 18 real, common and treatable; therefore be it 19 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize May 4, 2004, as 20 "Childhood Depression Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. D30L82DMS/20040S0261R1589 - 2 -