Assembly Resolution No. 913

BY: M. of A. Rules (Gunther)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 20, 2020, as Older Adult Mental Health 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 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

WHEREAS, National Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day will be
celebrated each year on a designated date in May, which is both National
Older Americans Month and National Mental Health Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, The vision of National Older Adult Mental Health Awareness
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

WHEREAS, Mental illnesses are disorders that represent significant
challenges to patients, health care workers, family members, caregivers
and our communities; and

WHEREAS, While growing acceptance of mental illnesses as medical
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

WHEREAS, Mental illnesses have historically been misunderstood,
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

WHEREAS, Its effects are especially painful and damaging to one's
self-esteem; it leaves older adults with mental illnesses feeling like
outcasts from society and a burden to their caregivers; and

WHEREAS, Whether the perceived stigma is real, it is the subjective
interpretation that affects the older adult's feelings of belonging; and

WHEREAS, Like most groups who are stigmatized, there are many myths
surrounding mental illnesses, as well as myths about older adults living
with mental illnesses; and

WHEREAS, In order to address the disparity in how mental illnesses
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

WHEREAS, In order to address the disparity on how mental illnesses
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

WHEREAS, Older adults who live with mental illnesses are encouraged
to remember that they can lead meaningful, emotionally healthy, and
vibrant lives even though have been diagnosed with a mental illness; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of these
serious health conditions, 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 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

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; and the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York (GMHA).