1.1A Senate resolution
1.2expressing the sense of the Senate that June 27 be recognized as Post-Traumatic
1.3Stress Injury Awareness Day, and the month of June be recognized as Post-Traumatic
1.4Stress Injury Awareness Month.
1.5WHEREAS, the brave men and women of the United States armed forces who proudly
1.6serve the United States and risk their lives to protect our freedom deserve the investment of every
1.7possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and
1.8WHEREAS, the challenges of serving in combat for many of our veterans do not stop when
1.9they return home, but a new challenge begins that many of our servicemen and servicewomen
1.10must fight every day as they struggle in silence; and
1.11WHEREAS, the diagnosis, now known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), was
1.12first defined to commonly and more accurately understand and treat veterans who had endured
1.13severe traumatic combat stress; and
1.14WHEREAS, combat operational stress has historically been viewed as a mental illness
1.15caused by a preexisting flaw of character or ability, and the term PTSD carries a stigma that
1.16perpetuates this misconception; and
1.17WHEREAS, post-traumatic stress can occur not only after a traumatic event experienced in
1.18combat but also after rape, sexual assault, battery, torture, confinement, child abuse, car accidents,
1.19train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters; and
1.20WHEREAS, post-traumatic stress is a common injury to the brain that is treatable and
1.21repairable; and
2.1WHEREAS, referring to the complications from post-traumatic stress as a disorder
2.2perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness, and the stigma discourages those
2.3suffering from post-traumatic stress from seeking proper and timely medical treatment; and
2.4WHEREAS, making the condition less stigmatizing and more honorable can favorably
2.5influence those affected and encourage them to seek help without fear of retribution or shame; and
2.6WHEREAS, proper and timely treatment can diminish suicide rates; and
2.7WHEREAS, all citizens suffering from post-traumatic stress injury deserve our
2.8consideration; those who have received these wounds in service to our nation further deserve our
2.9respect and recognition; NOW, THEREFORE,
2.10BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that June 27 be recognized as
2.11Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.
2.12BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that June be
2.13recognized as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month.