Bill Text: CA ACR29 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 54-18)
Status: (Passed) 2023-06-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 77, Statutes of 2023. [ACR29 Detail]
Download: California-2023-ACR29-Chaptered.html
Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 29
CHAPTER 77
Relative to Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
June 02, 2023.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 29, Quirk-Silva.
Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California.
This measure would recognize May 8, 2023, to May 12, 2023, inclusive, as Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee: NOBill Text
WHEREAS, Mental health is an important part of a child’s overall health and well-being. Mental health includes children’s mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being, and mental health affects how children think, feel, and act; and
WHEREAS, Mental health issues among children can seriously change how children learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems in getting through the day; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, the use of social media by students can result in social anxiety or depression and may result in a tendency to spend more time online and reduce students’ real face-to-face interactions with other people; and
WHEREAS, More than 42 percent of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021, a 50-percent increase since 2011; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, research shows 51 percent of students were reported to be overwhelmed by virtual learning and 31 percent of students experienced the loss of a loved one; and
WHEREAS, Currently, roughly one-fifth of students, or 22 percent, felt they might be traumatized and would not be the same because of the pandemic, and 45 percent of students reported feeling depressed; and
WHEREAS, The early identification and treatment of mental health and behavioral issues are critical components for a healthy student body and school community; and
WHEREAS, The role of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists in serving children and youth in schools has an opportunity to address student mental and behavioral health early and effectively; and
WHEREAS, Students often struggle with mental health and behavioral issues, and school counselors help to identify the warning signs from students; and
WHEREAS, School counselors also offer a range of services to help reduce mental health stigma; and
WHEREAS, Students are provided with services and programs by school counselors that aim to improve students’ feelings of connectedness within the school environment; and
WHEREAS, Support for all students regarding trauma caused by racial injustice is often addressed by school counselors who are also in a position to promote equity and healing; and
WHEREAS, The need for comprehensive and coordinated mental and behavioral health services for students in school is a critical part of an overall education plan; and
WHEREAS, It is important to set aside a week that recognizes the mental health of students in order to support the needs and well-being of students in California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes May 8, 2023, to May 12, 2023, inclusive, as Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
