Resolution 250507
Declaring the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Good afternoon, Mr. President, members and guests. David Alexander Jenkins. I rise in support of Resolution 250507, as introduced by Councilman Harrity, leaning on the gravity such of an awareness over a month of dedicated to mental health will bring to the city of Philadelphia. I stand here on the shoulders of greatness, particularly in the spirit of my grandparents, Dr. Charles High Debnam and Dr. Patricia Turner,…”
Mr. Jenkins · Stated Meeting, May 15, 2025 · May 15, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250507. CHIEF Clerk: A resolution declaring the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.”
Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, May 15, 2025 · May 15, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“Chair recognizes 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Jim Harrity for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250507.”
Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, May 15, 2025 · May 15, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“It has been moved and properly second that Resolution No. 250507 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)”
Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, May 15, 2025 · May 15, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- May 8, 2025Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- May 15, 2025ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
Read the full text as published
..Title Declaring the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been recognized across the United States to raise awareness about mental health conditions, reduce stigma, and encourage people to seek support; and WHEREAS, Mental health is a public health crisis. In Philadelphia, nearly 1 in 4 adults report experiencing frequent mental distress. Youth mental health is also in crisis, according to the Philadelphia Youth Risk Behavior Survey, over 37% of high school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless they stopped doing usual activities, and nearly 1 in 5 said they had seriously considered suicide; and WHEREAS, Structural inequities and community violence contribute significantly to mental health outcomes in Philadelphia. Black and Latino communities face higher barriers to accessing timely and affordable mental health care, while also experiencing higher rates of trauma. In 2023, more than 1,400 lives were lost to drug overdoses in Philadelphia, over 80% of which involved opioids, often connected to untreated or undertreated mental health conditions; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia, through the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), supports a wide range of services to help residents manage mental health, including crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, school-based programs, and peer support. In 2023, DBHIDS fielded more than 25,000 calls to its crisis and support lines and expanded mobile crisis units to provide in-person, community-based care; and WHEREAS, The month of May provides an opportunity to elevate the conversation around mental health, honor those working on the front lines of care, and remind all residents that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby declares the Month of May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and calls on all residents, institutions, and leaders to prioritize mental health, support those who are struggling, and help build a City where care, compassion, and connection are available to all. ..End