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4 <br /> 1 WHEREAS, stigma and the resulting discrimination is a primary obstacle to early identification <br /> 2 and effective treatment of individuals with mental illness and the ability to recover to lead full, <br /> 3 productive lives; and <br /> 4 <br /> 5 WHEREAS, every person and community can help end the silence and stigma surrounding <br /> 6 mental illness that for too long has made people feel isolated, alone and discouraged people from <br /> 7 getting help; and <br /> 8 <br /> 9 WHEREAS, Orange County remains engaged in the promise to address the challenges facing <br /> 10 people with mental illness; and <br /> 11 <br /> 12 WHEREAS, people with lived experience of mental illness and/or substance use disorders get <br /> 13 better, live in recovery, and provide invaluable knowledge of how to improve and transform <br /> 14 systems of care, and <br /> 15 <br /> 16 WHEREAS, through public education and working together to raise awareness, we can help <br /> 17 improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, and <br /> 18 <br /> 19 WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase public understanding <br /> 20 of the importance of mental health and to promote the identification and treatment of mental <br /> 21 illness; <br /> 22 <br /> 23 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize May <br /> 24 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Orange County and shine a light on mental health <br /> 25 and the need for long-term improvements in our mental health care system and improved access <br /> 26 to care so no one feels alone. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 This the 61h day of May, 2025. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 <br /> 31 Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> 32 Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> 33 <br /> 34 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> 35 approve the proclamation designating May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in Orange <br /> 36 County and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 39 <br /> 40 Chair Bedford encouraged anyone who feels isolated and alone to reach out to the county <br /> 41 for assistance. <br /> 42 Commissioner Fowler said she hoped this proclamation would encourage people to <br /> 43 consider their own mental health and being open to seeking assistance. She said she also hoped <br /> 44 it would help the Board focus on how they can improve the community's health through <br /> 45 operational and capital budgets. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 <br />