III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 481 

Designating the month of June 2014 as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress 

Disorder Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 23, 2014 

Ms. HEITKAMP (for herself, Mr. HELLER, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. DONNELLY, Mr. 

ROCKEFELLER, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. HOEVEN, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. 

BLUMENTHAL, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. WARNER, 

Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. JOHANNS, Mr. CASEY, Mr. WALSH, 

Mr. CRAPO, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota, Mr. CARDIN, 

and Mr. MERKLEY) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the month of June 2014 as ‘‘National PostTraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of 

the United States, who proudly serve the United States, 

risk their lives to protect the freedom of the people of the 

United States, and deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, 

and emotional well-being; 

Whereas more than 2,600,000 members of the Armed Forces 

have deployed overseas since the events of September 11, 

2001, and have served in places such as Afghanistan and 

Iraq; 


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•SRES 481 ATS 

Whereas the Armed Forces of the United States have sustained a historically high operational tempo since September 11, 2001, with many members of the Armed 

Forces deploying overseas multiple times, placing those 

members at high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder 

(referred to in this preamble as ‘‘PTSD’’); 

Whereas members of the Armed Forces and veterans who 

served before September 11, 2001, remain at risk for 

PTSD and other mental health disorders; 

Whereas the Secretary of Veterans Affairs reports that— 

(1) since October 2001, more than 310,000 of the 

approximately 1,000,000 veterans of Operation Enduring 

Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New 

Dawn who have received health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs have been diagnosed with 

PTSD; 

(2) in fiscal year 2013, more than 530,000 of the 

nearly 6,000,000 veterans who sought care at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities received treatment for PTSD; and 

(3) of veterans who served in Operation Enduring 

Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New 

Dawn who are receiving health care from the Department 

of Veterans Affairs, more than 570,000 have received a 

diagnosis for at least 1 mental health disorder; 

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 conditions; 

Whereas exposure to military sexual trauma can lead to 

PTSD; 


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•SRES 481 ATS 

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

Whereas public perceptions of PTSD or other mental health 

disorders create unique challenges for veterans seeking 

employment; 

Whereas the Department of Defense and the Department of 

Veterans Affairs—as well as the larger medical community, both private and public—have made significant advances in the identification, prevention, diagnosis, and 

treatment of PTSD and the symptoms of PTSD, but 

many challenges remain; 

Whereas increased understanding of PTSD can help diminish 

the stigma attached to this mental health disorder, and 

additional efforts are needed to find further ways—including an examination of how PTSD is discussed in the 

United States—to reduce this stigma; and 

Whereas the designation of a National Post-Traumatic Stress 

Disorder Awareness Month will raise public awareness 

about issues related to PTSD, reduce the stigma associated with PTSD, and help ensure that those suffering 

from the invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates June 2014, as ‘‘National Post3 Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month’’; 

4 (2) supports the efforts of the Secretary of Vet5 erans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense—as well 

6 as the entire medical community—to educate mem7 bers of the Armed Forces, veterans, the families of 


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•SRES 481 ATS 

1 members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and the 

2 public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of 

3 post-traumatic stress disorder; and 

4 (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of 

5 the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the 

6 Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of 

7 Defense. 

Æ 


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