05/01/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

         SCR  4-MENTAL HEALTH MONTH; TARDIVE DYSK WEEK                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:012 PM                                                                                                                      
CHAIR   DUNBAR  reconvened   the   meeting   and  announced   the                                                               
consideration of  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.  4 Designating                                                               
May 2025 as Mental Health  Awareness Month; and designating May 4                                                               
- 10, 2025, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:06:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, District  G, Alaska State Legislature,                                                               
Juneau,  Alaska, sponsor  of  SCR 4  stated  that the  resolution                                                               
designates May 2025  as Mental Health Awareness  Month to promote                                                               
understanding,  reduce  stigma,   and  support  Alaska's  108,000                                                               
adults  with mental  health conditions  amid a  statewide crisis,                                                               
including  high  suicide rates.  SCR  4  also recognizes  Tardive                                                               
Dyskinesia Awareness Week,  May 410,  to raise  awareness of this                                                               
underdiagnosed  side effect  of long-term  antipsychotic use  and                                                               
foster education and compassion.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:08:50 PM                                                                                                                    
ANN  RINGSTAD, Executive  Director, National  Alliance on  Mental                                                               
Illness  (NAMI), Anchorage,  Alaska, testified  by invitation  on                                                               
SCR  4.   She  said  the  resolution   recognizes  Mental  Health                                                               
Awareness  Month,  observed  each  May  since  1949,  to  promote                                                               
understanding, support recovery, and  emphasize the importance of                                                               
mental wellness  at all  ages. She stated  that SCR  4 highlights                                                               
the  need for  early  intervention, strong  support systems,  and                                                               
community    connections,    while    addressing    stigma    and                                                               
discrimination  that  hinder  care. The  resolution  also  raises                                                               
awareness  of  Tardive  Dyskinesia,   a  common  medication  side                                                               
effect,  and  stresses that  timely  support  and acceptance  are                                                               
crucial to saving lives and fostering resilience.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:11:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR opened  public testimony on SCR 4;  finding none, he                                                               
closed public testimony.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:12:24 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:12:26 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GIESSEL  moved to report  SCR 4, work  order 34-LS0902\A,                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:12:39 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR found  no objection and SCR 4 was  reported from the                                                               
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.