PRINTER'S NO. 963
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
161
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY AUMENT, REGAN, J. WARD, HUGHES, DINNIMAN, FONTANA,
L. WILLIAMS, KEARNEY, BLAKE, IOVINO, BREWSTER, PHILLIPS-HILL,
BROWNE, SANTARSIERO, BAKER, VOGEL, KILLION, MARTIN,
HUTCHINSON, BARTOLOTTA, FOLMER, COSTA AND SCHWANK,
JUNE 12, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 12, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing June 27, 2019, as "Post-Traumatic Stress Injury
Awareness Day" and the month of June 2019 as "Post-Traumatic
Stress Injury Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The brave men and women of the United States Armed
Forces, who proudly serve this country 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; and
WHEREAS, The challenges of serving in combat do not stop for
many veterans when they return home, but a new challenge begins
that many of our servicemen and servicewomen must fight every
day that causes them to struggle in silence; and
WHEREAS, The diagnosis now known as post-traumatic stress
disorder or PTSD was first defined in 1980 by the American
Psychiatric Association to more accurately understand and treat
veterans who had endured severe traumatic combat stress in
Vietnam; and
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WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress has historically been viewed
as a mental illness caused by a preexisting flaw in the
individual's brain or character and the term carries a stigma
that perpetuates this misconception; and
WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress injury can occur after
exposure to extremely traumatic events including, but not
limited to, combat, sexual assault, torture, abuse, life-
threatening accidents, natural disasters or interpersonal
violence; and
WHEREAS, It has been shown through electro-magnetic imaging
that post-traumatic stress can cause physical changes to the
brain which are more consistent with an injury rather than a
disorder; and
WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress is a very common injury to the
brain that is treatable and repairable; and
WHEREAS, Referring to post-traumatic stress injury as a
disorder not only perpetuates the stigma of and bias against
mental illness, but it also discourages those suffering from
post-traumatic stress from seeking proper and timely medical
treatment; and
WHEREAS, Destigmatizing the condition by referring to the
invisible wounds it causes in the brain as an injury rather than
a disorder is viewed as more honorable and can favorably
influence individuals affected and encourage them to seek help
without fear of retribution or shame; and
WHEREAS, Proper and timely treatment of post-traumatic stress
injuries can diminish complications and decrease suicide rates;
and
WHEREAS, All residents suffering from post-traumatic stress
injuries deserve our compassion and recognition; and
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WHEREAS, Individuals who have received these wounds in
service to our nation further deserve our respect and special
honor; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize June 27, 2019, as "Post-
Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day" and the month of June
2019 as "Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate commend the Department of Health
and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for working
to educate service members, veterans and their families, victims
of abuse, crime and natural disaster and the general public
about the causes, symptoms and treatment of post-traumatic
stress injury.
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