Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
H8607 2026 -- H 8607 ======== LC006534 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N CELEBRATING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 AS MEN S MENTAL HEALTH MONTH IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND Introduced By: Representatives Hopkins, Roberts, Santucci, Noret, Read, Azzinaro, Paplauskas, Casey, Bennett, and J. Brien Date Introduced: June 02, 2026 Referred To: House read and passed 1 WHEREAS, Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, and raising 2 awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by men is essential to reducing 3 stigma, encouraging help-seeking behaviors, and preventing tragic outcomes such as suicide; and 4 WHEREAS, June is recognized nationally as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 5 (often aligned with Men’s Health Month), providing an important opportunity to highlight the 6 need for open conversations, accessible resources, and community support for men’s mental 7 health across Rhode Island; and 8 WHEREAS, According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and 9 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men in the United States experience 10 disproportionately high rates of suicide despite lower reported rates of certain mental health 11 conditions like depression compared to women; and 12 WHEREAS, In 2023, the age-adjusted suicide rate among males was 22.8 per 100,000— 13 nearly four times higher than the rate among females (5.9 per 100,000)—and males accounted for 14 nearly 80% of all suicide deaths in the United States, even though they represent about 50% of 15 the population; and 16 WHEREAS, CDC and NIMH data further indicate that many men who die by suicide do 17 not have a known prior mental health diagnosis, highlighting barriers such as stigma, societal 18 expectations of stoicism, and lower rates of seeking professional help; and 19 WHEREAS, These national trends underscore the urgent need in Rhode Island to 1 promote mental health literacy among men, support early intervention, expand access to 2 culturally appropriate care, and foster environments (in workplaces, families, communities, and 3 faith-based settings) where men feel safe discussing their mental health; and 4 WHEREAS, The Rhode Island General Assembly recognizes that addressing men’s 5 mental health strengthens families, workplaces, and communities throughout the state, and that 6 public awareness campaigns during the month of June can play a vital role in saving lives; now, 7 therefore be it 8 RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 9 recognizes and celebrates the month of June 2026 as Men s Mental Health Month in Rhode 10 Island; and be it further 11 RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island encourages 12 all residents, community organizations, healthcare providers, employers, and state agencies to 13 promote awareness of men’s mental health issues, reduce stigma, and support resources for 14 prevention, treatment, and recovery; and be it further 15 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 16 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the 17 Rhode Island Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), and 18 appropriate advocacy organizations dedicated to men’s mental health. ======== LC006534 ======== LC006534 - Page 2 of 2
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