Senate Concurrent Resolution 539

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE MARCH 2024 AS "BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH IN MISSISSIPPI" TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE EXTENT, CONSEQUENCES, CAUSES, TREATMENTS AND PREVENTION OF ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURIES.

WHEREAS, acquired brain injury is often overlooked and underfunded, and affects thousands of Mississippians each year; and

WHEREAS, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to, or penetration of, the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain; and

WHEREAS, more than 30,000 Mississippians are currently living with the long-term effects of a brain injury; and

WHEREAS, falls are the leading cause of brain-related injuries in Mississippi. Brain injuries can also be caused by motor vehicle crashes, assaults, sports-related injuries, occupational-related injuries, or opioid overdoses; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi has more than 30,000 active military personnel and has over 190,000 veterans residing in the state; and

WHEREAS, traumatic brain injury has been the signature injury of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Treatment is often complicated by high rates of PTSD and suicide, presenting new challenges for members of the military and their families in the state; and

WHEREAS, thirty percent of sports-related injuries happen among youth five to 19 years of age, and because the signs of brain injury are not always well recognized, youth may put themselves at risk for another injury and potentially fatal second-impact syndrome; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that between 1.6 to 3.8 million mild traumatic brain injuries, often called concussions, occur in the United States per year during competitive sports and recreational activities; and

WHEREAS, as many as 50% of mild traumatic brain injuries go unreported or undetected; and

WHEREAS, an injury that happens in an instant can bring a lifetime of physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges; and

WHEREAS, early and adequate intervention, especially cognitive rehabilitation, will greatly increase the quality of life and enable individuals with brain injury to return to home, school, work, or their communities; and

WHEREAS, March has been designated as National Brain Injury Awareness Month to promote awareness of the extent, consequences, causes, treatments, and prevention of acquired brain injuries; and

WHEREAS, the Brain Injury Association of America and Brain Injury Association of Mississippi are dedicated to Changing Minds about Brain Injury:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate March 2024 as "Brain Injury Awareness Month in Mississippi" to promote awareness of the extent, consequences, treatments, and prevention of acquired brain injuries, and commend its observance to all citizens.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi for appropriate dissemination and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.