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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 2 <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH <br /> WHEREAS, mental health is part of everyone's overall health and well-being, and mental <br /> illnesses are prevalent in our county, state, and nation, with one in five adults experiencing <br /> a mental health issue every year; and <br /> WHEREAS, mental health sustains an individual's thought processes, relationships, <br /> productivity, and ability to adapt to change; and <br /> WHEREAS, it is important to maintain mental health and to recognize the symptoms of <br /> mental illness and seek help when it is needed; and <br /> WHEREAS, early identification and treatment can make a difference in successful <br /> navigation and management of mental illness and recovery; and <br /> WHEREAS, stigma and the resulting discrimination is a primary obstacle to early <br /> identification and effective treatment of individuals with mental illness and the ability to <br /> recover to lead full, productive lives; and <br /> WHEREAS, every person and community can help end the silence and stigma <br /> surrounding mental illness that for too long has made people feel isolated, alone and <br /> discouraged people from getting help; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County remains engaged in the promise to address the challenges <br /> facing people with mental illness; and <br /> WHEREAS, people with lived experience of mental illness and/or substance use <br /> disorders get better, live in recovery, and provide invaluable knowledge of how to improve <br /> and transform systems of care, and <br /> WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of people experiencing <br /> feelings of anxiety and depression; and <br /> WHEREAS, through public education and working together to raise awareness, we can <br /> help improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, and <br /> WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase public <br /> understanding of the importance of mental health and to promote the identification and <br /> treatment of mental illness; <br /> NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby <br /> recognize May 2023 as MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH in Orange County and <br /> shine a light on mental health and the need for long-term improvements in our mental <br /> health care system and improved access to care so no one feels alone. <br /> This the 2nd day of May, 2023. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />