New York J 2350: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 20, 2020, as Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day in the State of New York

Bill Text

Senate Resolution No. 2350
Senator CARLUCCIBY:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaimMEMORIALIZING
May 20, 2020, as Older Adult Mental Health Awareness
Day in the State of New York
it is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognizeWHEREAS,
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with itsWHEREAS,
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 20, 2020, as Older
Adult Mental Health Awareness Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Older Adult Mental Health
Awareness Day; and
National Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day will beWHEREAS,
celebrated each year on a designated date in May, which is both National
Older Americans Month and National Mental Health Awareness Month; and
The vision of National Older Adult Mental Health AwarenessWHEREAS,
Day is to bring awareness to mental illnesses in older adults, promote
emotional well-being, and eliminate social stigma; through national
collaboration, the goal of National Older Adult Mental Health Awareness
Day is to bring the nation population information about older adult
mental illness that will educate about and improve sensitivity towards
these illnesses; and
Mental illnesses are disorders that represent significantWHEREAS,
challenges to patients, health care workers, family members, caregivers
and our communities; and
While growing acceptance of mental illnesses as medicalWHEREAS,
conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, has taken hold in some
parts of the nation, unfortunately the stigma associated with mental
illnesses is a barrier to care and continues to impede early diagnosis
and effective treatment; and
Mental illnesses have historically been misunderstood,WHEREAS,
feared and therefore stigmatized, especially among older adults; the
stigma is due to a lack of education, lack of appropriate information or
proliferation of false information, ignorance, or ageism; and
Its effects are especially painful and damaging to one'sWHEREAS,
self-esteem; it leaves older adults with mental illnesses feeling like
outcasts from society and a burden to their caregivers; and
Whether the perceived stigma is real, it is the subjectiveWHEREAS,
interpretation that affects the older adult's feelings of belonging; and
Like most groups who are stigmatized, there are many mythsWHEREAS,

surrounding mental illnesses, as well as myths about older adults living
with mental illnesses; and
In order to address the disparity in how mental illnessesWHEREAS,
among older adults are viewed in different parts of the nation, the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the
National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA), and the
Association for Community Living (ACL), worked on the concept of a
national older adult mental health awareness day; and
In order to address the disparity on how mental illnessesWHEREAS,
among older adults is viewed statewide, the Geriatric Mental Health
Alliance of New York (GMHA) worked on the concept of an older adult
mental health awareness day in the State of New York; and
Older adults who live with mental illnesses are encouragedWHEREAS,
to remember that they can lead meaningful, emotionally healthy, and
vibrant lives even though have been diagnosed with a mental illness; and
It is imperative that there be greater awareness of theseWHEREAS,
serious health conditions, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it
That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations toRESOLVED,
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 20, 2020, as Older
Adult Mental Health Awareness Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Older Adult Mental Health
Awareness Day; and be it further
That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, beRESOLVED,
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; and the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York (GMHA).