Bill Text: NJ AJR145 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates May of each year as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-05-01 - Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [AJR145 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AJR145-Introduced.html
No. 145
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 28, 2017
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates May of each year as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating May as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Mental health is an essential part of a person's overall health and ability to thrive in their community; and
Whereas, Emotional and behavioral disorders are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning; and
Whereas, Just as ailments of other organs of the body, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life; and
Whereas, Emotional disturbances can affect people beyond their immediate emotional states, sometimes creating long-term mental health challenges that can affect physical, social, or cognitive skills; and
Whereas, Some characteristics commonly seen in children who have an emotional disturbance include hyperactivity, aggression, self-injurious behavior, social withdrawal, immaturity, and learning difficulties; and
Whereas, Children are, in many ways, more vulnerable than adults to mental illness, and children with mental illness have a far greater likelihood of being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice system; and
Whereas, Many people with emotional and behavioral disorders do not receive treatment for their illnesses, due to poor understanding of mental illness and treatment options, stigma, or lack of access to treatment; and
Whereas, Enhanced awareness of emotional and behavioral disorders can help to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and help improve access to treatment that can help people lead full and productive lives; and
Whereas, The first week of May is recognized as National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week to promote positive development of children's mental health; and
Whereas, The State of New Jersey can support the efforts of national and local groups advocating for emotional and behavioral health by annually honoring "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of May of each
year is designated as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month"
in the State of New Jersey in order to foster public awareness and
understanding of emotional and behavioral disorders.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates the month of May of each year as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of emotional and behavioral disorders.
Emotional and behavioral disorders are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Emotional disturbances can affect people beyond their immediate emotional states, sometimes creating long-term mental health challenges that can affect physical, social, or cognitive skills. Children are, in many ways, more vulnerable than adults to mental illness, and children with mental illness have a far greater likelihood of being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice system.
The resolution intends to promote awareness in hopes of improving the lives of people who have emotional and behavioral disorders.
