WHEREAS, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being; it affects how we think, feel, and act; it also affects how we manage stress, relate to others, and make choices; and

WHEREAS, mental health is essential to a person's life in the same way as physical health and allows us to take care of ourselves and our families; and

WHEREAS, maintaining the mental health of a community supports the development of a healthy workforce and advances economic opportunity; and

WHEREAS, nearly 20% of children and young people aged 3 to 17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst people aged 10 to 14 and 25 to 34, and the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States; and

WHEREAS, a lack of mental health awareness leads to devastating impacts on the wellbeing of individuals and society; and

WHEREAS, evidence-based mental and behavioral health awareness training teaches individuals how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in others and provides skills to use a 5-step action plan to help someone who may be facing a mental health challenge or crisis; and

WHEREAS, Mental Health First Aid trainings are proven to reduce stigma and increase knowledge and awareness of common signs, symptoms, and risk factors of mental health and substance use challenges; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada is committed to meeting the needs of those living with mental and behavioral health disorders, and supports initiatives that help to raise broader awareness regarding mental and behavioral health issues, with appreciation for all who are working to improve research and treatment options in the area of mental health;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2025 as

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN NEVADA