Bill Text: NY J00139 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2023, as Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-01-05 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J00139 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00139-Introduced.html

---

Senate Resolution No. 139

BY: Senator PARKER

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        March 30, 2023, as Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day in
        the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  days  that  are  set  aside  to  increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2023, as Bipolar
Disorder Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of World Bipolar Day; and

  WHEREAS, World Bipolar Day (WBD) will be  celebrated  each  year  on
March  30th,  the  birthday  of  Vincent  Van Gogh, who was posthumously
diagnosed as probably having bipolar disorder; and

  WHEREAS, The vision of WBD is to bring world  awareness  to  bipolar
disorders   and   eliminate   social   stigma;   through   international
collaboration, the goal of World Bipolar  Day  is  to  bring  the  world
population  information  about  bipolar  disorders that will educate and
improve sensitivity towards the illness; and

  WHEREAS, Bipolar Disorder is a  mental  illness  that  represents  a
significant  challenge  to patients, health care workers, family members
and our communities; and

  WHEREAS, While growing acceptance of bipolar disorder as  a  medical
condition, like diabetes and heart disease, has taken hold in some parts
of  the world, unfortunately the stigma associated with the illness is a
barrier to care and continues to impede early  diagnosis  and  effective
treatment; and

  WHEREAS,  Mental  illnesses  have  historically  been misunderstood,
feared and therefore stigmatized;  the  stigma  is  due  to  a  lack  of
education, false information, ignorance, or a need to feel superior; and

  WHEREAS,  Its  effects  are especially painful and damaging to one's
self-esteem;  it  leaves  people  with  mental  illnesses  feeling  like
outcasts from society; and

  WHEREAS,  Whether  the  perceived  stigma  is real or not, it is the
subjective  interpretation  that  affects  the  person's   feelings   of
belonging; and

  WHEREAS,  Like most groups who are stigmatized, there are many myths
surrounding mental illness; and

  WHEREAS, In order to address the disparity in how  bipolar  disorder
is  viewed in different parts of the world, the Asian Network of Bipolar
Disorder (ANBD), the International Bipolar Foundation  (IBPF),  and  the

International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) came together to work
on the concept of a world bipolar day; and

  WHEREAS,  People  who  live  with bipolar disorder are encouraged to
remember that they can accomplish great things  even  though  they  have
been diagnosed with bipolar disorder; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity  at
the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2023, as Bipolar
Disorder Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder  (ANBD);  the  International
Bipolar  Foundation  (IBPF);  and  the International Society for Bipolar
Disorders (ISBD).