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SR 1024

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alana DiMario

Designates May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island and urges awareness, education, and training to reduce stigma and improve response.

05/06/2025 Senate read and passed
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Bill Summary · SR 1024

Summary: Rhode Island Senate Resolution SR 1024

Overview

  • Title: Senate Resolution recognizing May 2025 as “Mental Health Awareness Month” in the State of Rhode Island
  • Sponsor: Senator Alana DiMario
  • Status: Passed by the Senate on May 6, 2025 (introduced May 5, 2025)
  • Type: Non-binding resolution (ceremonial/expressive)
  • Purpose: Formal recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island and a call to action for education, awareness, and support.

Purpose and Intent

SR 1024 affirms that mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, affecting emotional, psychological, and social health, as well as daily functioning and stress coping. The resolution emphasizes the importance of awareness, education, and appropriate training to identify and respond to mental health and substance-use challenges.

Key Provisions

  • Recognition: Designates May 2025 as “Mental Health Awareness Month” in Rhode Island.
  • Call to Action: Urges citizens, counties, organizations, health care providers, and schools to raise mental health awareness and provide age-appropriate education and training.
  • Education and Training: Highlights the value of evidence-based mental and behavioral health training (including 5-step action plans for responding to mental health crises and suicide risk) and Teen Mental Health First Aid training to reduce stigma and improve peer support.
  • Governmental Action: The Secretary of State is authorized to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH).

Affected Parties

  • General public in Rhode Island (awareness and education efforts)
  • Counties, organizations, health care providers, and schools (participation in awareness activities and training)
  • Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (recipient of the certified copy)

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: May 5, 2025
  • Referred and placed on the Senate Consent Calendar: May 5, 2025
  • Senate action: Read and passed on May 6, 2025
  • Next step: Transmittal of the certified copy to the Director of BHDDH by the Secretary of State

Impact and Context

As a resolution, SR 1024 does not establish new laws, funding, or programmatic mandates. Its impact is largely symbolic and educational, signaling statewide support for mental health awareness and encouraging ongoing education and stigma reduction. The inclusion of references to evidence-based training and Teen Mental Health First Aid underscores a emphasis on practical tools and peer support to address mental health challenges.

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

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