National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 202

Designating June 27, 2011, as `National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day'.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 26, 2011

Mr. CONRAD (for himself, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. ROCKEFELLER, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. WARNER, Mr. CASEY, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. CARDIN, Ms. STABENOW, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. COONS, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. HOEVEN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

June 21 (legislative day, June 16), 2011

Committee discharged; considered, amended, and agreed to

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RESOLUTION

Designating June 27, 2011, as `National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day'.

Whereas the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who proudly serve the United States, risk their lives to protect the freedom of the United States and deserve the investment of every reasonable resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being;

Whereas 2.4 percent of servicemembers returning from deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom are clinically diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (referred to in this preamble as `PTSD') and up to 17 percent of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans exposed to sustained ground combat report PTSD symptoms;

Whereas up to 10 percent of Operation Desert Storm veterans, 30 percent of Vietnam veterans, and 8 percent of the general population of the United States suffer or have suffered from PTSD;

Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs reports that more than 438,000 veterans were treated for PTSD in 2010 alone;

Whereas many cases of PTSD remain unreported, undiagnosed, and untreated due to a lack of awareness about PTSD and the persistent stigma associated with mental health issues;

Whereas PTSD significantly increases the risk of depression, suicide, and drug- and alcohol-related disorders and deaths, especially if left untreated;

Whereas the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have made significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and the symptoms of PTSD, but many challenges remain; and

Whereas the establishment of a National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day will raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD and help ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates June 27, 2011, as `National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day';

(2) supports the efforts of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to educate servicemembers, veterans, the families of servicemembers and veterans, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder; and

(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense.