Gov. Signs Rooney’s Mental Health Awareness Resolution

TRENTON, NJ– Gov. Christie today signed a joint resolution (SJR62/AJR96) sponsored by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney designating the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Treatment for mental illness can be effective and achieving victory over this condition is possible, yet a significant percentage of people do not receive help,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “This measure is an effort to further raise awareness about mental illness, remove the stigma, fear, and misunderstanding associated with it and encourage treatment.”

Nearly one in five adults nationwide are diagnosed with a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or post-traumatic stress disorder in a given year. Nearly one in five youths, age 13 to 18, experience a severe mental disorder at some point in their life. Despite these statistics, only 41 percent of adults and just over half of children will receive treatment