Bill Text: NY J01584 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2024, as Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - ADOPTED [J01584 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01584-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1584

BY: Senator PERSAUD

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 2024, as Mental Health Awareness  Month  in  the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in
events designed to raise awareness of serious health issues; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2024, as Mental  Health  Awareness
Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Mental Health Month (MHM) began in 1949, to raise awareness
of mental health conditions and mental wellness for all; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2024,  Mental  Health Month campaign is focused on how
surroundings impact mental health; individuals should  look  around  and
look  within;  topics  that are specifically addressed include: Safe and
Stable Housing, Healthy Home Environments, Neighborhoods and  Towns,  as
well as The Outdoors and Nature; and

  WHEREAS,  Mental  illness is common, yet many never get help; 1 in 5
U.S.  adults experience mental illness each year, yet only 43 percent of
people with a mental illness receive treatment; furthermore,  for  those
who ultimately do get help, the average delay in getting treatment is 11
years from the first onset of symptoms; and

  WHEREAS,  The  first  signs  and symptoms of mental health problems,
some of which develop  to  the  point  of  becoming  diagnosable  mental
illness begin on average, at about 14 years of age; and

  WHEREAS,  Untreated mental illness has serious consequences; this is
a serious problem  because  unrecognized,  untreated  and  late  treated
mental illness elevates the risk of mental health crises such as suicide
and  self-injury,  diminishes  prospects for recovery and contributes to
substance abuse and other damaging negative coping behaviors; and

  WHEREAS, Suicide is the second  leading  cause  of  death  for  ages
10-34,  and  the  overall  suicide  rate in the U.S. has increased by 31
percent since 2001; and

  WHEREAS, More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than  from
cancer,   heart   disease,   AIDS,  birth  defects,  stroke,  pneumonia,
influenza, and chronic lung disease combined; and

  WHEREAS, Many adults miss or dismiss these early signs and  symptoms
and young people are even less likely to recognize or understand what is
happening  to them; and even when there is some recognition that a young
person is struggling, stigma often causes people to ignore,  dismiss  or
rationalize  a child's true need for help; the result is often as tragic
as it is unnecessary; and

  WHEREAS, The COVID-19  pandemic  has  exacerbated  pre-existing  and
underlying  mental  illness,  with  50  percent of Americans reporting a
negative impact on their mental health; and

  WHEREAS,  In  these trying times, it is more imperative than ever to
recognize and destigmatize mental illness; and

  WHEREAS, There must be greater public awareness  of  mental  illness
and  suicide,  and  more  must  be done at the local, State and national
levels to respond to the rise in mental health concerns during and after
this crisis; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to proclaim May of 2024, as Mental
Health Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.