They are separate resolutions.
These two "awareness days" are simple House resolutions.
A "simple" resolution addresses matters entirely within the prerogative of one house, such as revising the standing rules of one Chamber. Simple resolutions are also used to express the sentiments of a single house, such as offering condolences to the family of a deceased member of Congress, or it may give "advice" on foreign policy or other executive business, or things such as declaring awareness days. Simple resolutions do not require the approval of the other house nor the signature of the president, and they do not have the force of law. Congressional awareness days are largely symbolic. 20 days ago the Senate designated a
"PowerTalk21 Day" In April they also recognized "World Plumbers Day"
Mental Health Awareness month was originally recognized by congress in 1949 (I don't have a copy of that resolution).
BPD Awareness month is a house resolution passed in the 110th congress, H. RES. 1005 (see below).
Mental Health Awareness month was again passed as a house resolution passed in the 111th congress,H. RES. 1258 (see below). The second resolution does not amend or acknowledge the 1949 resolution nor does it amend the BPD Awareness resolution.
There are also the National Observances published by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The
CDC has another list.
It's not a highly centralized or organized process.
May is also awareness for (selected health awareness topics)
American Stroke Month
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Better Sleep Month
Clean Air Month
Healthy Vision Month - Refractive Errors
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Arthritis Month
National Cancer Research Month
National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
National High Blood Pressure Education Month
National Neurofibromatosis Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
Ultraviolet Awareness Month
1 - 7 National Physical Education and Sport Week
4 - 10 Children's Mental Health Awareness Week
4 - 10 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
7 National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
10 Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Awareness Day
11 - 17 Food Allergy Awareness Week
11 - 17 National Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week
11 - 17 National Women's Health Week
12 - 18 National Stuttering Awareness Week
12 - 16 National Neuropathy Week
12 National Women's Check-up Day
13 Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day
18 - 24 National Emergency Medical Services Week
19 - 25 Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week
19 Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Day
21 National Employee Health and Fitness Day
31 World No Tobacco Day
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Month
12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
[110th CONGRESS House Bills]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID: hr1005ih.txt]
[Introduced in House]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1005
Supporting the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Awareness
Month.
_____________________________________________________________________
__
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 27, 2008
Mr. Tom Davis of Virginia (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform
_____________________________________________________________________ __
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Awareness
Month.
Whereas borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects the regulation of emotion
and afflicts approximately 2 percent of the general population;
Whereas BPD is a leading cause of suicide, as an estimated 10 percent of
individuals with this disorder take their own lives;
Whereas BPD usually manifests itself in adolescence and early adulthood;
Whereas symptoms of BPD include self-injury; rage; substance abuse; destructive
impulsiveness; a pattern of unstable emotions, self-image, and
relationships; and may result in suicide;
Whereas BPD is inheritable and is exacerbated by environmental factors;
Whereas official recognition of BPD is relatively new, and diagnosing it is
often impeded by lack of awareness and frequent co-occurrence with other
conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse,
anxiety, and eating disorders;
Whereas despite its prevalence, enormous public health costs, and the
devastating toll it takes on individuals, families, and communities, BPD
only recently has begun to command the attention it requires;
Whereas it is essential to increase awareness of BPD among people suffering from
this disorder, their families, mental health professionals, and the
general public by promoting education, research, funding, early
detection, and effective treatments; and
Whereas the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder and
the National Alliance on Mental Illness has requested that Congress
designate May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month as a
means of educating our Nation about this disorder, the needs of those
suffering from it, and its consequences: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and
ideals of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.
[111th CONGRESS House Bills]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID: hr1258ih.txt]
[Introduced in House]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1258
Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month.
_____________________________________________________________________ __
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 15, 2010
Mrs. Napolitano (for herself, Mr. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, Ms. Lee
of California, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson
of Texas, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Stark, Mrs. Maloney, Ms.
Shea-Porter, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr.
Salazar, Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas, Mr. Dreier, Mr. Holt, Ms.
Richardson, Mr. Baca, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Mr. Filner, Mr.
Wilson of Ohio, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Capuano, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Watson,
Mr. Murphy of Connecticut, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Kagen, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Van
Hollen, Mr. Baird, Mr. Rush, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Israel, and Ms. Roybal-
Allard) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_____________________________________________________________________ __
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month.
Whereas the mental health and well-being of people in the United States is a
critical issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the
health of communities, families, and economic stability;
Whereas the stigma associated with mental health continues to persist;
Whereas more than 57,000,000 people in the United States suffer from mental
illness;
Whereas approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents has a diagnosable mental
disorder;
Whereas more than a quarter of the members of the United States Armed Forces
suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained from
combat, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder;
Whereas more than half of all prison and jail inmates suffer from mental
illness;
Whereas mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the Nation;
Whereas major mental illness costs businesses and the United States economy over
$193,000,000,000 per year in lost earnings;
Whereas untreated mental illness is a leading cause of absenteeism and lost
productivity in the workplace;
Whereas, in 2005, over 32,000 individuals died by suicide in the United States,
nearly twice the rate of homicide;
Whereas suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between the ages
of 15 and 24;
Whereas, in 2004, individuals age 65 and older comprised only 12.4 percent of
the population but accounted for 16.6 percent of all suicides, and the
rate of suicide among older people is higher than for any other age
group;
Whereas 1 in 4 Latin American adolescents report seriously contemplating
suicide, a rate higher than any other demographic;
Whereas Native Americans currently rank as the top ethnicity for suicide rates
nationwide;
Whereas studies report that people with serious mental illness die, on average,
25 years earlier than the general population; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe May 2010 as Mental Health Month: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of Mental Health Month in
order to place emphasis on scientific facts and findings
regarding mental health and to remove the stigma associated
with mental illness;
(2) recognizes that mental well-being is equally as
important as physical well-being for citizens, communities,
businesses, and the economy in the United States;
(3) applauds the coalescing of national and community
organizations in working to promote public awareness of mental
health and providing critical information and support to the
people and families affected by mental illness;
(4) supports the finding of the President's Commission on
Mental Health that the Nation's failure to prioritize mental
health is a national tragedy; and
(5) encourages all organizations and health practitioners
to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental
well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate
services, and support overall quality of life for those living
with mental illness.
