PUBLIC LAW 98-19—APR. 15, 1983 97 STAT. 63 Public Law 98-19 98th Congress Joint Resolution To authorize and request the President to designate the week of April 10, 1983, through April 16, 1983, as "National Mental Health Week'*. Whereas the cost of excessive stress and mental disorders to our Nation is estimated to be $65,000,000,000 annually; Whereas in one out of every three American families there is a member with some type of mental illness and 20 per centum of our population is in need of some form of mental health treatment at any one time; Whereas more than 25 per centum of all elderly persons mistakenly judged to be senile have a treatable mental disorder, and 80 per centum of all diseases are psychosomatic or stress related and account for a large majority of all hospital admissions; Whereas persons with mental illness have been shdwn to be exces- sive users of unnecessary medical and surgical services, and mental health treatment provides an effective cost-containment tool by reducing these more costly and unnecessary services; Whereas mental illness is a treatable disability, with nearly two- thirds of all mentally ill patients showing significant signs of improvement or recovery after treatment; and Whereas it is fitting that the support and treatment provided the mentally disabled by family members, volunteers, and qualified health professionals be recognized, encouraged, and honored: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designating the week of April 10, 1983, through April 16, 1983, as "National Mental Health Week", and calling upon the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Approved April 15, 1983. Apr. 15, 1983 [S.J. Res. 52] National Mental Health Week. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 52: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): Mar. 18, considered and passed Senate. Apr. 12, considered and passed House.
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