A resolution expressing support for the designation of October as "Brain Health Awareness Month".

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 405 Expressing support for the designation of October as ‘‘Brain Health Awareness Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 31, 2019 Mr. GRASSLEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of October as ‘‘Brain Health Awareness Month’’. Whereas millions of individuals in the United States suffer from behavioral health conditions, such as anxiety, de- pression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, or a trau- matic brain injury or acquired brain injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain; Whereas a serious behavioral health condition, such as schizo- phrenia, or a traumatic brain injury or acquired brain in- jury, such as a stroke, that disrupts the normal function of the brain often is linked to cognitive and behavioral challenges; Whereas millions of individuals in the United States struggle with challenges caused by a traumatic brain injury, stroke, or mental health conditions; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Oct 31, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR405.IS SR405 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 405 IS Whereas hundreds of thousands of members and veterans of the Armed Forces have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and millions more have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their service, which can lead to persistent challenges for those members and veterans and their families; Whereas approximately 1 in 5 people in the United States struggle with behavioral health disorders each year, but a majority of those people do not seek treatment for their condition, often due to the stigma associated with doing so; Whereas early and adequate access to care, such as imaging technology that can identify areas of the brain that have been compromised, promotes health and can greatly in- crease the overall quality of life of many individuals in the United States; Whereas grassroots organizations such as Brain Health Now of Iowa and Mental Health Connecticut, which are dedi- cated to ending the stigma of mental illness, have called for every individual in the United States to treat health conditions affecting the brain with the same regard and care as physical illnesses, such as heart disease; and Whereas it is important to educate the public on the inci- dence and prevalence of brain injury and disease and to support the needs of those who are injured: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the designation of October as 2 ‘‘Brain Health Awareness Month’’; and 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Oct 31, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR405.IS SR405 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 405 IS (2) encourages all individuals in the United 1 States to use Brain Health Awareness Month as an 2 opportunity to promote greater acceptance of and 3 support for individuals living with diseases or inju- 4 ries affecting the brain. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Oct 31, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR405.IS SR405 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS