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HR 6301

HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAY OF 2025 AS "MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island designates May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and urges residents, schools, and providers to promote awareness, education, and training for healthier lives.

05/06/2025 House read and passed
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Bill Summary · HR 6301

Summary: House Resolution HR 6301 — Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island (May 2025)

Overview

  • Type: House Resolution (non-binding)
  • Bill Number: HR 6301
  • Title: Recognizing May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island
  • Introduced: May 6, 2025
  • Status: House read and passed on May 6, 2025
  • Principal sponsors: Representatives Tanzi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Cruz, Ajello, Boylan, Shallcross Smith, Cortvriend, and Potter
  • Key effect: Expresses official recognition and calls on Rhode Island residents and institutions to promote mental health awareness and education

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution recognizes mental health as a component of overall well-being, affecting how individuals think, feel, and act, and highlighting its importance for relationships, self-care, and daily functioning.
  • It designates May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island and urges public awareness, education, and training to support healthier lives.

Key Provisions

  • Recognition: Officially proclaims May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island.
  • Call to Action: Encourages citizens, counties, organizations, health care providers, and schools to:
    • Raise mental health awareness
    • Provide age-appropriate mental health education and training
    • Promote practices that support longer, healthier lives
  • Education and Training References:
    • Notes evidence-based mental and behavioral health training for recognizing signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges
    • Promotes the use of a 5-step action plan to assist someone facing a mental health challenge or crisis (including suicide risk)
    • Highlights Teen Mental Health First Aid as an effective program to reduce stigma and teach teens to respond to peers’ mental health and substance-use concerns
  • Administration: Directs the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals

Who Would Be Affected

  • State and local government entities
  • Rhode Island residents
  • Schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, and youth-serving programs
  • The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (as the recipient of the transmitted resolution)

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • This is a ceremonial resolution, expressing the General Assembly’s intent and encouraging actions rather than creating new law or funding.
  • Next steps (not specified in the text): If pursued further, the resolution could be considered by the Rhode Island Senate; the current document reflects House passage and a directive to transmit to the appropriate agency.

Potential Impact

  • Elevates public attention to mental health issues in Rhode Island.
  • Encourages education and stigma reduction through evidence-based training and teen-focused programs.
  • May influence school curricula, community programs, and health-related outreach by fostering partnerships among residents, schools, and healthcare providers.
  • Largely symbolic and aspirational; actual outcomes depend on adoption and implementation by organizations and institutions in Rhode Island.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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