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Bill

AJR 183

Designates month of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony Verrelli

Designates May as Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month in New Jersey to boost awareness, trauma-informed practices, and access to resources for kids.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
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Bill Summary · AJR 183

AJR 183 Summary — Designates May as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month" in New Jersey

Overview

AJR 183 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on June 6, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee. The measure designates May each year as “Children’s Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month” in New Jersey and requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance and related activities.

Purpose and Intent

  • Elevate public awareness and understanding of pediatric mental health, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and mental illness in children.
  • Highlight the impact of mental health on a child’s development, school performance, and risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system.
  • Promote trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approaches to support children affected by ACEs and mental health challenges.
  • Reduce stigma and improve access to treatment and resources for children and families.

Key Provisions

1) Designation of May as “Children’s Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month” in New Jersey to foster awareness of pediatric mental health, ACEs, and mental illness.

2) Governor’s Proclamation: The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation urging public officials and all New Jersey residents to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

3) Effective Date: The joint resolution takes effect immediately.

Background and Definitions highlighted in the Record

  • Mental health is an essential part of overall health; mental illnesses are medical conditions that can affect thinking, mood, behavior, and daily functioning.
  • ACEs are traumatic experiences in childhood (e.g., abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, substance exposure, incarceration, domestic violence, divorce) that can cause toxic stress and adverse impacts on brain development and stress response systems.
  • Children with multiple ACEs face higher risks of depression, substance use, suicidal tendencies, early death, and vulnerability to violence; similarly, adults with multiple ACEs are at increased risk for chronic diseases and intergenerational effects.
  • Barriers to treatment include stigma, limited understanding of mental illness, and an insufficient number of pediatric mental health professionals.

Impact and Beneficiaries

  • Directly targets awareness-building among children, families, educators, healthcare providers, and the public.
  • Aims to support better access to treatment and trauma-informed practices for children with mental health needs or ACE exposure.
  • No explicit funding or new programs are mandated by the resolution; the action is primarily commemorative and educational.

Related Legislation

  • SJR 67 is listed as a companion bill, indicating parallel action in the Senate.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Introduced: June 6, 2024
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
  • If enacted, the Governor would issue an annual proclamation each May recognizing the designated month. The designation takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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