SCR 4-MENTAL HEALTH MONTH; TARDIVE DYSK WEEK  4:59:59 PM CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4, Designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month; and designating May 4 - 10, 2025, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. 5:00:28 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, As prime sponsor, presented SCR 4. She noted that in Alaska, there are more than 108,000 adults who live with mental health conditions. She explained that by designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month, SCR 4 "seeks to promote understanding and reduce stigma and support those effected by mental illness." She reported that Alaska continues to face a mental health crisis; the state ranks second in the nation for suicide rates, and 8,000 youth are currently experiencing depression. Mental health issues effects all communities regardless of age, race, or economic status. She opined that raising awareness and reducing stigma is the least the legislature can do. SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON pointed out that the second part of SCR 4 would recognize Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, observed May 4-10, 2025. This is a side effect of long-term, anti-psychotic treatment that effects hundreds of thousands of individuals nationwide yet remains underdiagnosed and widely misunderstood. She concluded, "So, through this resolution, we aim to shine a light on these important issues and foster a culture of compassion, education, and support." She noted that Ann Ringstand was available to expound on the reasons to support SCR 4. 5:02:28 PM CHAIR MINA announced the committee would hear invited testimony and invited Ms. Ringstad to speak. 5:02:35 PM ANN RINGSTAD, Executive Director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Alaska, began her invited testimony in support of SCR 4 by explaining that established in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and "to celebrate the recovery for individuals and families." She echoed the statement of the bill sponsor that mental health effects everyone regardless of age, background, or experience. She added that just like physical health, "mental health is essential to overall well-being in every stage of life." The two are "deeply connected," yet stigma regarding mental health prevents too many Alaskans from seeking needed care. MS. RINGSTAD talked about Tardive Dyskinesia, explaining that it causes involuntary movements of the face, limbs, and torso, and this is the eighth annual effort to raise awareness. She stated, "This resolution is a call to action for all of us to realize the impacts of mental health challenges, the importance of support and services, and the healing power of acceptance." She concluded by emphasizing, "There is no fiscal note, but the cost of inaction is great - socially, economically, and emotionally." She thanked the committee for its support and asked for expedient action to pass SCR 4 during the month of May. 5:04:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX, regarding the connection between anti- psychotic medications and Tardive Dyskinesia, asked whether the legislature should create further legislation to address the issue. 5:05:18 PM MS. RINGSTAD responded that she does not think the legislature needs to do anything besides supporting SCR 4 as a way to bring awareness of the issue to Alaskans. 5:05:54 PM CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on SCR 4. After ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, she closed public testimony. 5:06:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to report SCR 4 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SCR 4 was reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.