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Senate committee endorses concurrent resolution recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week
Summary
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee approved SCR 4 recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month and a week in May for tardive dyskinesia awareness after invited testimony from NAMI Alaska and no public opposition.
Juneau ' The Senate Health and Social Services Committee on May 1 moved Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.
Senator L. V. Gray Jackson, sponsor of the resolution, said the measure requests recognition of May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to promote understanding, reduce stigma and support Alaskans affected by mental illness. "Raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring access to resources to those impacted, it's the very least that we can do," Jackson said.
Anne Ringstad, executive director of NAMI Alaska, provided invited testimony in support and said mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected. Ringstad highlighted the role of community supports and described tardive dyskinesia as an underdiagnosed side effect of long-term antipsychotic treatment that affects involuntary movement. She said the resolution has no fiscal note.
Chair Senator Gary Dunbar opened and closed public testimony with no members of the public offering additional remarks. Vice Chair moved the resolution from committee with no objections and no fiscal note.
The committee recorded the measure as moved from committee; sponsors and advocates said the resolution is intended to spur awareness and encourage community support for mental-health services.
