Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 1.djvu/171

 PUBLIC LAW 98-254—APR. 9, 1984 Public Law 98-254 98th Congress

98 STAT. 123

Joint Resolution

Designating the week beginning April 8, 1984, as "National Mental Health Counselors Week".

Whereas mental health counselors work in a specialized field of counseling which emphasizes the developmental and adjustive nature of mental health services; Whereas mental health counselors utilize individual and group counseling techniques oriented toward assisting individuals with methods of problem solving, personal and social development decisionmaking, and the complex process of developing self-understanding and making life decisions; Whereas mental health counselors work in conjunction with other helping professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers to determine the most appropriate counseling for each client; Whereas mental health counselors work in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health agencies, private clinics, college campuses, rehabilitation centers, and private practice providing almost 50 per centum of direct delivery of mental health services; Whereas mental health counselors are individuals upon whom, by virtue of their education and extensive training, have been conferred masters or doctors of philosophy degrees in mental health counseling or community mental health counseling, or similar degree titles having a focus on mental health; and Whereas mental health counselors, after having earned such degrees, have performed at least two years of supervised clinical counseling, and are licensed or certified as such in the State of their residence, or are certified by the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning April 8, 1984, is designated "National Mental Health Counselors Week". The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon all Government agencies and the people of the United States to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved April 9, 1984.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 203: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): Mar. 12, considered and passed Senate. Apr. 3, considered and passed House.

Apr. 9, 1984 [S.J. Res. 203]

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