(a) The month of October of every year is hereby declared to be “Mental Health Month” in Puerto Rico.
(b) The Governor of Puerto Rico, through a proclamation to such effect, shall exalt the people of Puerto Rico to observe said month.
(c) The Secretary of the Department of Health in conjunction with the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA, Spanish acronym) or the agency presently in charge of mental health services are hereby directed to seek the cooperation of all public and private institutions, as well as any other institution interested in the observance activities herein provided, and to disseminate information of the meaning and significance of such month.
(d) During this month measures shall be taken and activities shall be organized to raise people’s awareness of myths and realities of serious mental illness, such as resistant depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
(e) Acceptance and support towards persons suffering from serious mental illness shall be promoted to reduce the stigma and social alienation regarding said population so that they may receive the humane treatment they deserve.
History —Oct. 6, 1998, No. 270, §§ 1—3; Apr. 27, 2012, No. 72, §§ 1–3.