Designates May of each year as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month."

SJR126

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 126

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates May of each year as �Emotional and
Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution

permanently designating
May as �Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month� in New Jersey.

Whereas,

Mental health is an essential part of a person�s overall health and ability to
thrive in their community; and

Whereas,

Emotional and behavioral disorders are medical conditions that disrupt a
person�s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily
functioning; and

Whereas,

Just as ailments of other organs of the body, mental illnesses are medical
conditions that often result in diminished capacity for coping with the
ordinary demands of life; and

Whereas,

Emotional disturbances can affect people beyond their immediate emotional
states, sometimes creating long-term mental health challenges that can affect
physical, social, or cognitive skills; and

Whereas,

Some characteristics commonly seen in children who have an emotional
disturbance include hyperactivity, aggression, self-injurious behavior, social
withdrawal, immaturity, and learning difficulties; and

Whereas,

Children are, in many ways, more vulnerable than adults to mental illness, and
children with mental illness have a far greater likelihood of being suspended
from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice
system; and

Whereas,

Many people with emotional and behavioral disorders do not receive treatment
for their illnesses, due to poor understanding of mental illness and treatment
options, stigma, or lack of access to treatment; and

Whereas,
Enhanced
awareness of emotional and behavioral disorders can help to reduce the stigma
associated with mental illness, and help improve access to treatment that can
help people lead full and productive lives; and

Whereas,
The first
week of May is recognized as National Children�s Mental Health Awareness Week
to promote positive development of children�s mental health; and

Whereas,
The State of
New Jersey can support the efforts of national and local groups advocating for
emotional and behavioral health by annually honoring �Emotional and Behavioral
Disorder Awareness Month�; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The month of May of each
year is designated as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month"
in the State of New Jersey in order to foster public awareness and
understanding of emotional and behavioral disorders.

���� 2.��� The Governor is
requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and
the citizens of this State to observe "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder
Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates the month of May of each year as �Emotional and Behavioral Disorder
Awareness Month� in New Jersey to raise public awareness of emotional and
behavioral disorders.�

���� Emotional and behavioral
disorders are medical conditions that disrupt a person�s thinking, feeling,
mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.� Emotional
disturbances can affect people beyond their immediate emotional states,
sometimes creating long-term mental health challenges that can affect physical,
social, or cognitive skills.� Children are, in many ways, more vulnerable than
adults to mental illness, and children with mental illness have a far greater
likelihood of being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending
up in the juvenile justice system.

���� The joint resolution intends
to promote awareness in hopes of improving the lives of people who have
emotional and behavioral disorders.