BILL REQ. #:  S-1052.1 

Read first time 02/04/13.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to increasing public awareness of mental illness and its consequences; and adding a new chapter to Title 71 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that public awareness and understanding of mental health and mental illnesses is often inaccurate or underdeveloped. Too often, families with children and adults in need of assistance or treatment do not know where to go for help or how to access mental health services. Teachers, coaches, and others who come into regular contact with children often observe concerning behavior but do not know whether or how to connect them with appropriate interventions. To increase the well-being of people with mental health issues, as well as increase the safety of the general public, it is the legislature's intent to establish a comprehensive and effective public awareness campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illness, to aid in the early identification of those with mental health issues, and to improve the prevention and intervention of serious mental illnesses.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) Subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the department of social and health services, in collaboration with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the department of health, and the regional support networks, must develop and conduct an ongoing public awareness and education campaign regarding mental health and mental illness in both adults and children.
     (2) The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness and educate families and the general public about the benefits of early identification, appropriate referral, and appropriate treatment of those with mental health issues.
     (3) The department of social and health services must provide information about the following:
     (a) Mental health stigma and how it affects a person's ability to achieve wellness and full social integration;
     (b) Efficacy of mental health treatment and the importance of early identification;
     (c) Prevalence of mental health issues in adolescents and children;
     (d) Factors that may cause or contribute to mental health issues; and
     (e) Recommendations for how to recognize mental illness and respond appropriately.
     (4) The department of social and health services must use multiple communication strategies in the campaign depending on available funds, including developing or using an existing interactive web site, conducting community training, and disseminating informative print materials.
     (5) In addition to the collaboration described in subsection (1) of this section, the department of social and health services must also seek participation and input from mental health advocacy groups, children and family nonprofit organizations, violence prevention associations, and Washington's tribes or tribal organizations.
     (6) The campaign must be proportional across the state and targeted to reach persons from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds who live in geographically isolated areas, who have low literacy skills or limited ability in the English language, and who are part of special populations, including the homeless and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Sections 1 and 2 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 71 RCW.