VT HCR173

Designates January 29, 2026, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Vermont State House, marking the 11th annual event with the theme "Together for Dignity, United for Change: Reclaiming Mental Health in Vermont"

Approximately 104,000 Vermont adults live with a mental health condition, with 27,000 experiencing serious mental illness according to NAMI data

A 2023 Vermont Department of Health survey found roughly one-third of high school students reported poor mental health, one-fourth reported self-harm, and 14% had developed a suicide plan

Nationally, only 50% of adults with any mental illness and 70% of those with serious mental illness receive treatment

Directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to participating advocacy organizations including NAMI Vermont, Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery, and Vermont Care Partners