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NJ SJR67

NJ SJR67
Designates month of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month."

summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
05/13/2024
Crossed Over
05/13/2024
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This joint resolution designates the month of May as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of mental health, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and mental illness in children. Mental illness can adversely affect children in many ways, including increasing the likelihood of a child being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice system. ACEs, which are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood, can cause toxic stress, impacting the development of a child's fundamental brain architecture and stress response systems, and place children who undergo multiple ACEs at a higher risk of suffering from depression, alcohol and substance use disorders, suicidal tendencies, early death, and becoming victims or perpetrators of sexual violence. Many children with mental health disorders who undergo multiple ACEs do not receive treatment for their illnesses due to poor understanding of mental illness, toxic stress, stigma, and an insufficient number of pediatric mental health professionals in the United States and New Jersey which reduces of access to available treatment options. The resolution intends to promote awareness of pediatric mental illness and ACEs, in hopes of improving the lives of children who have emotional disturbances, other mental health disorders, or faced trauma and adversity throughout their lives.

AI Summary

This joint resolution designates the month of May as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about children's mental health and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The resolution highlights that mental illnesses are medical conditions that can disrupt a child's thinking, feeling, mood, and daily functioning, and that children with emotional disturbances may experience long-term challenges affecting their physical, social, and cognitive skills. It explains that ACEs, which include experiences like abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and domestic violence, can create toxic stress that impacts a child's brain development and stress response systems. The resolution emphasizes that children who experience multiple ACEs are at higher risk for depression, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, and other serious health issues. By establishing this awareness month, New Jersey aims to reduce the stigma surrounding children's mental health, improve understanding of ACEs, and encourage access to treatment that can help children lead healthier, more productive lives. The resolution requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation to support observance of the month through appropriate activities and programs.

Committee Categories

Education, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee (on 05/13/2024)
(3 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/SJR67
Analysis - Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SJR/67_T1.PDF
Analysis - Statement SHH 5/9/24 https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SJR/67_S1.PDF
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SJR/67_I1.HTM
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