LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim May 2-8, 2010, as Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days and weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
David A. Paterson to proclaim May 2-8, 2010, as Anxiety and Depression
Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with National
Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to support organiza-
tions which bring awareness and create venues for public education about
anxiety and depressive illnesses; and
WHEREAS, Freedom From Fear has created the Campaign on Anxiety and
Depression Awareness; since 1994, the program has been launched during
the first week in May as National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week;
and
WHEREAS, Freedom From Fear (FFF) is a national not-for-profit mental
health advocacy association founded in 1984 by Mary Guardino; Ms. Guar-
dino founded the organization as an outgrowth of her own personal expe-
riences of suffering with anxiety and depressive illnesses for more than
25 years; and
WHEREAS, The mission of FFF is to impact, in a positive way, the lives
of all those affected by anxiety, depressive and related disorders
through advocacy, education, research and community support; and
WHEREAS, Each year more than 40 million Americans will suffer with an
anxiety disorder and over 20 million will suffer from some type of
depressive illness; the cost to the economy of these terrible diseases
is billions of dollars each year; the cost in human suffering is immea-
surable; and
WHEREAS, Both anxiety and depressive illnesses are severe, chronic and
extremely impairing to the individuals who are affected by them;
furthermore, they can have a devastating effect on the family members of
those suffering from anxiety and depression; and
WHEREAS, It is in the interest of New York State to recognize the
achievements made and to continue these efforts by promoting the aware-
ness and fostering the understanding of anxiety and depression; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim May 2-8, 2010, as
Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and to Mary Guardino, Founder, Freedom From Fear.