WHEREAS, it is estimated that 1 in 4 adults live with a mental health condition which equates to over 700,000 Nevadans; and

WHEREAS, many people with serious, chronic mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or gastrointestinal disorders, require treatment with medications that work as dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs), including antipsychotics; and

WHEREAS, while ongoing treatment with these medications can be very helpful, and even lifesaving, for many people, it can also lead to Tardive Dyskinesia; and

WHEREAS, tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder that is characterized by random, involuntary, and uncontrolled movements of different muscles in the face, trunk, and extremities; and

WHEREAS, tardive dyskinesia can develop months, years, or decades after a person starts taking DRBAs and even after they have discontinued the use of those medications, and not everyone who takes a DRBA develops TD, but if it is developed, it is often permanent; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that up to 28,000 Nevadans suffer from tardive dyskinesia, and according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, one in every four patients receiving long-term treatment with an antipsychotic medication will experience tardive dyskinesia; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada is working diligently to increase services for those living with mental health conditions, including the establishment of the 9-8-8 direct hotline supported by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Bureau of Behavioral Health Wellness and Prevention. This hotline represents an opportunity to transform Nevada’s behavioral health crisis care system into one that saves lives by serving anyone, at any time, from anywhere across the State;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the week of May 1- 7, 2022, as

, do hereby proclaim the week of May 1- 7, 2022, as TARDIVE DYSKINOSIA AWARENESS WEEK IN NEVADA