State of South Carolina
Governor's Proclamation

WHEREAS, the mental health of our residents is essential to the continued well-being and vitality of our families, business, and communities; and

WHEREAS, in South Carolina, one in five people have some type of mental illness, with approximately 5.5 percent of the adult population suffering from severe mental illness; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 50,000 South Carolinians have a severe long term mental illness, such as schizophrenia and depression; and

WHEREAS, the 2007 observance of Mental Health Month will help raise awareness of mental health, mental illnesses, and insurance discrimination against people with mental illness while delivering the message that, with proper treatment, recovery is possible.

NOW, THEREFORE, I,  Mark Sanford, Governor of the Great State of South Carolina, do hereby  proclaim May 2007 as 

 MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

throughout the state and encourage all South Carolinians to work together to increase understanding of mental illness and to raise awareness of the need for appropriate and accessible mental health services.