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6 <br /> 1 b. Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation <br /> 2 The Board approved a proclamation designating May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Orange <br /> 3 County. <br /> 4 <br /> 5 BACKGROUND: Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Each year <br /> 6 millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. Even though mental health conditions <br /> 7 are common and treatable like physical health conditions, many people are still afraid to talk about them <br /> 8 due to the stigma associated with mental illness. In May, mental health organizations and affiliates raise <br /> 9 awareness with community events and messages of hope to highlight the importance of mental health. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 The Board of Commissioners is asked to proclaim May 2026 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in <br /> 12 Orange County to shine a light on mental illness and the need for long-term improvements in our mental <br /> 13 health care system and improved access to care so no one feels alone. <br /> 14 <br /> 15 The commissioners read the following proclamation in turn: <br /> 16 <br /> 17 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 18 PROCLAMATION <br /> 19 MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH <br /> 20 <br /> 21 WHEREAS, mental health is part of everyone's overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are <br /> 22 prevalent in our county, state, and nation,with one in five adults experiencing a mental health issue every <br /> 23 year; and <br /> 24 <br /> 25 WHEREAS, mental health sustains an individual's thought processes, relationships, productivity,and ability <br /> 26 to adapt to change; and <br /> 27 <br /> 28 WHEREAS, it is important to maintain mental health and to recognize the symptoms of mental illness and <br /> 29 seek help when it is needed; and <br /> 30 <br /> 31 WHEREAS, early identification and treatment can make a difference in successful navigation and <br /> 32 management of mental illness and recovery; and <br /> 33 <br /> 34 WHEREAS,stigma and the resulting discrimination is a primary obstacle to early identification and effective <br /> 35 treatment of individuals with mental illness and the ability to recover to lead full, productive lives; and <br /> 36 <br /> 37 WHEREAS, every person and community can help end the silence and stigma surrounding mental illness <br /> 38 that for too long has made people feel isolated, alone and discouraged people from getting help; and <br /> 39 <br /> 40 WHEREAS, Orange County remains engaged in the promise to address the challenges facing people with <br /> 41 mental illness; and <br /> 42 <br /> 43 WHEREAS, people with lived experience of mental illness and/or substance use disorders get better, live <br /> 44 in recovery, and provide invaluable knowledge of how to improve and transform systems of care, and <br /> 45 <br /> 46 WHEREAS, through public education and working together to raise awareness, we can help improve the <br /> 47 lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, and <br /> 48 <br />