HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 46

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF JUNE AS "POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY AWARENESS MONTH" AND PROCLAIMING JUNE 27, 2017, AS "POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, all citizens of the United States possess the basic human right to the preservation of personal dignity; and

WHEREAS, all citizens of the United States deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and

WHEREAS, the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who proudly serve the United States risk their lives to protect our freedom; and

WHEREAS, the diagnosis now known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first defined by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980 to commonly and more accurately understand and treat veterans who had endured severe traumatic combat stress; and

WHEREAS, combat stress has historically been viewed as a mental illness caused by a pre-existing flaw of character or ability and the word “disorder" carries a stigma that perpetuates this misconception; and

WHEREAS, referring to the complications from post-traumatic stress as a disorder perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness, and this stigma can discourage the injured from seeking proper and timely medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) can occur after experiencing a severely traumatic event, including: sexual assault, child abuse, high-impact collisions and crashes, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and military combat; and

WHEREAS, Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) is a very common injury to the brain that is treatable and repairable; and

WHEREAS, making Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) less stigmatizing and more honorable can favorably influence those affected and encourage them to seek help without fear of retribution or shame; and

WHEREAS, proper and timely treatment can diminish suicide rates; and

WHEREAS, all citizens suffering from post-traumatic stress injury deserve our compassion and consideration, those who have received these wounds in action against an enemy of the United States further deserve our tribute and acknowledgement; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day and Month in the State of Delaware will raise public awareness about issues related to PTSI.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 149 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the month of June is proclaimed as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month”.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that June 27, 2017, is proclaimed as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day”.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we respectfully urge our Departments of Public Health, Veterans Affairs, and the Delaware National Guard to continue working to educate victims of abuse, crime and natural disaster, service members, veterans and their families, as well as the general public, about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of PTSI.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution designates the month of June as "Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month" and June 27, 2017, as "Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day" in order to bring awareness to those who suffer from post-traumatic stress and to help remove the stigma associated with it.