WHEREAS:

There are over 10 million Americans suffering from serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and manic depression and over 100,000 new cases of these illnesses are diagnosed each year; and

WHEREAS:

Society tends to treat individuals suffering from these conditions as different or bad and reject them instead of treating their illness the same as any other physical impairment; and

WHEREAS:

Public prejudices contribute to the difficulties of life for the most vulnerable of our society; and

WHEREAS:

The 100,000 AFSCME members who care for thousands of these individuals are often the link between them and the outside world and have acquired the skills and the attitude necessary to properly care for them; and

WHEREAS:

As caregivers, AFSCME members are able to separate facts from fiction about the effect of these diseases.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will work with parent groups such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and other advocacy groups, to conduct public education campaigns to counter the stigma and to change any law that discriminates against mentally disabled persons.

SUBMITTED BY:

Leonard Cody, President
John Klusinske, Secretary
AFSCME Council 24