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Governor Signs Carlucci's Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Bill

NEW CITY, N.Y. – A bill by state Sen. David Carlucci, (D–Rockland/Westchester), to create the Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund has been signed into law. 

State Sen. David Carlucci

State Sen. David Carlucci

Photo Credit: Courtesy New York State Senate

In the United States, one out of five people live with a mental illness, and nearly two-thirds of those diagnosed with a mental illness do not seek treatment. 

This statistic is due to the stigma that exists when discussing mental illness, which can lead to fear and hesitation in getting the help that they truly need. 

The Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund aims to provide an easy way for New Yorkers to support essential mental health educational programs and services.

Funded by a tax check-off box that will appear on state income tax forms, the Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund will support critical programs to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues and lead to a better understanding of mental illness by all. 

With the help of this legislation, these programs will now have a continuous source of funding every year. Before its enactment, the bill to create the Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund had been pursued by mental health advocates for years. The bill passed the Senate this year with overwhelming bipartisan support. 

“The signing of this bill into law is the first step to eliminating the stigma of mental illness from our society," Carlucci said. "New Yorkers can now directly help end the stigma by making a donation that will fund mental health public awareness campaigns across the state." 

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