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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 6, 2016 04:22 PM
From: Senator Ryan P. Aument and Sen. Randy Vulakovich
To: All Senate members
Subject: Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness
 
In the near future I plan to introduce a resolution designating June 27, 2016 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day in Pennsylvania and June 2016 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

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

The challenges of serving in combat for many of our veterans do not stop when they return home. A new challenge begins for many of our servicemen and women- one they must fight every day and can cause them to struggle in silence.

Post-traumatic stress injury occurs after a person has experienced a trauma and can result from not only the stress of combat, but also rape, sexual assault, battery, torture, confinement, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disaster. Post-traumatic stress is a very common injury to the brain that is treatable and repairable.

The diagnosis now known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first defined to commonly and more accurately understand and treat veterans who had endured severe traumatic combat stress.

Post-traumatic stress has historically been viewed as a mental illness caused by a pre-existing flaw in the individual's brain or character and the term "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)" carries a stigma that perpetuates this misconception.

Additionally, referring to post-traumatic stress injury as a disorder perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness that discourages those suffering from post-traumatic stress from seeking proper and timely medical treatment.

Making the condition less stigmatizing and more honorable can favorably influence those affected and encourage them to seek the help without fear of retribution or shame. Proper and timely treatment can decrease suicide rates and additional education and awareness can help to encourage most people suffering with post-traumatic stress injury to seek help.

Please join me in designating June 27, 2016 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day in Pennsylvania and June 2016 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.



Introduced as SR396