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

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Brain Health Awareness Month and encourages support for people living with diseases or injuries affecting the brain.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 405 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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, depression, and post-traumatic 
        stress disorder, or a traumatic brain injury or acquired brain injury 
        that disrupts the normal function of the brain;
Whereas a serious behavioral health condition, such as schizophrenia, or a 
        traumatic brain injury or acquired brain injury, 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;
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 increase 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 dedicated 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 incidence and prevalence of 
        brain injury and disease and to support the needs of those who are 
        injured: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of October as ``Brain Health 
        Awareness Month''; and
            (2) encourages all individuals in the United States to use 
        Brain Health Awareness Month as an opportunity to promote 
        greater acceptance of and support for individuals living with 
        diseases or injuries affecting the brain.
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