Senator Fine Leads the Way to Adopt Senate Resolution 811 Declaring May Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month in illinois.
The following press release was issued by Senator Fine about the BPD Month Resolution in May 2024: http://www.senatorfine.com/news/press-releases/264-fine-establishes-may-as-borderline-personality-disorder-month
To reduce the stigma surrounding borderline personality disorder and bring awareness to the condition, State Senator Laura Fine led a resolution to designate May as Borderline Personality Disorder Month in Illinois.
“Borderline personality disorder affects an individual mentally, emotionally and socially, which is why it is important that we understand the impact of this mental illness to help those with BPD,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Mental illness can not only limit a person’s physical well-being, but it also can deter them from seeking help if people don’t understand how it affects them.”
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that can impact a person’s ability to manage their emotional state. Loss of emotional control can increase impulsivity, affect self-esteem and negatively impact interpersonal relationships.
Senate Resolution 811 establishes May 2024 as Borderline Disorder Month. This resolution aims to improve understanding of borderline personality disorder and how to support those with this mental illness.
“Borderline personality disorder is among the most stigmatized and least understood mental illnesses, with serious implications to the person, family and society when left untreated. We are grateful to State Senator Laura Fine, for her leadership of Senate Resolution 811, to declare May as BPD Month in Illinois. Recovery begins with education, and Illinois is paving a path for other states to bring more awareness to BPD.” - Paula Tusiani-Eng, LMSW, Executive Director, Emotions Matter Inc.
"Borderline personality disorder profoundly affects individuals and their families. By establishing May as Borderline Personality Disorder Month, Illinois is championing a much-needed cause that prioritizes education and awareness. There are effective, evidence-based therapies that can pave the way toward recovery, and awareness is the first step in improving access to these treatments for the more than 250,000 residents of Illinois who live with BPD. This initiative, led by Senator Laura Fine, is a beacon of hope for countless individuals, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and support in the journey toward recovery. We extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Fine for her unwavering dedication to this critical issue." – Julie Frantsve-Hawley, PhD, Advocacy Committee member, the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder.
Senate Resolution 811 was adopted by the Senate.
Illinois House Mental Health & Addiction Committee Adopts Resolution for May as "BPD Month"
Thank you to Representative Lindsey LaPointe and Representatives of the Illinois House Mental Health and Addiction Committee (Rep. LaPointe, Rep. Guzzardi and Rep. Severin pictured above) for unanimously endorsing IL-HJR0030 naming May as "BPD Month" at a Hearing on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Springfield, IL.
We are grateful to Rep. LaPointe and the Committee for their leadership to bring more BPD education and awareness to the people of Illinois.
“We want to create greater awareness for BPD because it impacts a significant portion of our population, but is too often overlooked,” state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, said. “Barriers to care and unnecessary stigma have created an environment that prevents too many people from realizing the life they deserve. We need to better prioritize these issues.”
We are also thankful to our Emotions Matter volunteers, Lara Cuomo, Kimberly Hickey, Linda Singer and Julie Frantsve-Hawley, Phd,CAE from NEA-BPD for presenting at the Hearing.
For more information about the resolution and it's language: https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HJR0030/2023.
Emotions Matter and NEA-BPD will continue their efforts to bring more awareness about BPD to the people of Illinois when they present this resolution to the State Senate in October.
To get involved, https://emotionsmatterbpd.org/advocacygetinvolved
“Telling my story to politicians terrified me at first, but my ability to impact thousands of lives in state of Illinois motivated me to conquer my fears. Their empathy for my story and overwhelming support for the resolution, which declares May BPD Month in Illinois, was worth it!
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“Having the opportunity to educate the state representatives on the Mental Health & Addiction Committee about BPD was such an incredible experience. It was amazing to see all the members become so passionate about helping those with BPD get access to treatment.”
Declare May as BPD Awareness Month in Illinois
Emotions Matter's Advocacy Committee has been working hard with volunteers in Illinois to present a Resolution to the House Mental Health and Addiction Committee to declare May as BPD Awareness Month in Illinois.
We just received word yesterday that the resolution (attached below) will be formally presented at a hearing before the House Mental Health Committee on Thursday, May 11th.
Will you help us show that people in Illinois support this resolution by sending emails to members of the Mental Health Committee?
Here are two steps you can take to help today:
Download, Customize and Sign your Name to the Support letter below.
Email your letter to Members of the House Mental Committee.
** Time is of the essence. The hearing is May 11th!!!
Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can provide additional information. We have created a step by step instruction guide below but are happy to help. Email us at info@emotionsmatterbpd.org for assistance. Thanks for your help and support!
Emotions Matter
