BILL NUMBER:A11054

TITLE  OF BILL:   An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to
creating a public education initiative designed to eliminate stigma  and
misinformation  about mental illness and chemical dependence among mili-
tary service members; and providing for the repeal  of  such  provisions
upon expiration thereof

PURPOSE  OR  GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: Creates a public education initiative
designed to eliminate stigma and misinformation about mental illness and
chemical dependence among military service members.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section one amends section 7.09  of  the
Mental Hygiene law by requiring the commissioner of the office of mental
health  the  commissioner of the office of mental health, in conjunction
with the commissioner of the office of alcoholism  and  substance  abuse
services  and  director of the division of veterans' affairs to create a
public education initiative designed to eliminate stigma and misinforma-
tion about mental illness and chemical dependence among service members,
veterans, and their families, improve their understanding of mental  and
substance  use disorders and the existence of effective   treatment, and
provide information regarding available  resources  and  how  to  access
them.

Section two provides the effective date,

              

JUSTIFICATION:  Through  their  service,  many military personnel in New
York were exposed to or have experienced trauma, placing many of them in
high risk categories of triggering underlying conditions, such  as  Post
Traumatic  Stress  Disorder  (PTSD),  substance  abuse problems or other
mental health issues. According to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans  of
America, at least one in three Iraq veterans and one in nine Afghanistan
veterans  will  face  a mental health issue like depression, anxiety, or
PTSD.

According to  the  United  States  Substance  Abuse  and  Mental  Health
Services  Administration,  "the impact of military reality on individual
mental health is complicated further by the pronounced stigma associated
with mental  illness  within  military  communities.    Service  members
frequently  cite  fear  of personal embarrassment, fear of disappointing
comrades, fear of losing the opportunity  for  career  advancement,  and
fear  of  dishonorable  discharge as motivations to hide the symptoms of
mental illness from colleagues, friends and family. This silence and the
attitudes and perceptions perpetuating it pose a  significant  challenge
to those charged with making sure that the United States' fighting force
is improving itself and taking care of its own members."

Left untreated, combat-related mental health issues can and does destroy
the  lives  of  veterans  and  their  families. Untreated combat related
mental health issues can manifest itself through  substance  abuse,  the
criminal  justice  system,  and suicide. These brave Americans have laid
their lives on the line in service to their  country.  Until  stigma  is

addressed  and the reality of the mental health needs of military veter-
ans is fully recognized, our returning troops  and  veterans  from  wars
past will continue to suffer.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATION: Not yet determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.