Senate Resolution No. 139

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 30, 2023, as Bipolar Disorder 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2023, as Bipolar
Disorder Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of World Bipolar Day; and

WHEREAS, World Bipolar Day (WBD) will be celebrated each year on
March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously
diagnosed as probably having bipolar disorder; and

WHEREAS, The vision of WBD is to bring world awareness to bipolar
disorders and eliminate social stigma; through international
collaboration, the goal of World Bipolar Day is to bring the world
population information about bipolar disorders that will educate and
improve sensitivity towards the illness; and

WHEREAS, Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that represents a
significant challenge to patients, health care workers, family members
and our communities; and

WHEREAS, While growing acceptance of bipolar disorder as a medical
condition, like diabetes and heart disease, has taken hold in some parts
of the world, unfortunately the stigma associated with the illness 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; the stigma is due to a lack of
education, false information, ignorance, or a need to feel superior; and

WHEREAS, Its effects are especially painful and damaging to one's
self-esteem; it leaves people with mental illnesses feeling like
outcasts from society; and

WHEREAS, Whether the perceived stigma is real or not, it is the
subjective interpretation that affects the person's feelings of
belonging; and

WHEREAS, Like most groups who are stigmatized, there are many myths
surrounding mental illness; and

WHEREAS, In order to address the disparity in how bipolar disorder
is viewed in different parts of the world, the Asian Network of Bipolar
Disorder (ANBD), the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and the

International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) came together to work
on the concept of a world bipolar day; and

WHEREAS, People who live with bipolar disorder are encouraged to
remember that they can accomplish great things even though they have
been diagnosed with bipolar disorder; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2023, as Bipolar
Disorder Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD); the International
Bipolar Foundation (IBPF); and the International Society for Bipolar
Disorders (ISBD).