May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier Executive Director, Keith Leahey speaks on the local weekly public affairs program, Southern Tier Close Up May 3rd at 6am on Wild 104 about the stigmas of mental health issues, maintaining mental wellness and events happening locally to mark National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Leahey says the most common forms of mental health issues are anxiety and depression with anxiety disorder appearing as early as in children 11 years old.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports New York's Assembly has voted for a new tax check-off intended to help end the stigma around mental illness, which advocates say is common, treatable and far too often unaddressed.

Similar to provisions on state tax returns where taxpayers can support Alzheimer's research, breast cancer awareness and various other efforts, this would establishes a gift check-off to a special fund that would be used by the state Office of Mental Health to provide grants to organizations dedicated to eliminating the stigma.

Glenn Liebman, president of the Mental Health Association of New York State, says one in four people in the U.S. has a diagnosed mental illness and many don't get treatment because of the stigma and their reluctance.

A companion bill has several sponsors in the state Senate.

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