What's happening
This bill creates a public education initiative to eliminate stigma and misinformation about mental illness and substance abuse among military service members, veterans, and their families.
Why it matters
Targets a population at higher risk. By focusing on military service members, veterans, and their families, the bill addresses groups that statistically face elevated rates of mental illness and substance abuse, but who often underutilize available support due to stigma.
Aims for early intervention and connection to help. Spreading accurate information about effective treatments and available resources can encourage earlier help-seeking and reduce the likelihood of crises, benefiting both individuals and the broader community.
Modernizes outreach methods. Explicitly allowing the use of internet and social networking sites means the initiative can reach people where they already spend time, potentially increasing engagement, especially among younger veterans and family members.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Fight Stigma for Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Fight Stigma for Veterans
In Senate Committee · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1705
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
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 military service members; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 7.09 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (l) to read as follows:
(l) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner, in conjunction with the commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse services and the director of the division of veterans' affairs shall develop a public education initiative designed to eliminate stigma and misinformation 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. These public education initiatives may include the use of the internet, including the use of social networking sites.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire on June 30, 2020 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06892-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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 military 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 misinformation 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 and expiration date of June 30, 2018.
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 veterans is fully recognized, our returning troops and veterans from wars past will continue to suffer.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.2511A - Amend and Recommit To Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs 2013-14: S.1464A - Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. 2011-12: S.4760/A.1070A - Passed the Assembly; died in Finance. 2010-11: S.8062/A.110S4 - Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Fiscal implication
Not yet determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.