IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 345 

Expressing support for designation of the month of June 2015 as ‘‘National 

Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month’’ and June 27, 2015, as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 25, 2015 

Mr. PETERS (for himself, Ms. NORTON, Mr. JONES, Mr. PAYNE, and Mr. 

DESAULNIER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on 

Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 

Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 

the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of the month of June 

2015 as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness 

Month’’ and June 27, 2015, as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day’’. 

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 2,000,000 members of the Armed Forces 

have deployed overseas since the events of September 11, 


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•HRES 345 IH 

2001, and have served in places such as Afghanistan and 

Iraq; 

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 (referred 

to in this preamble as ‘‘PTS’’); 

Whereas men and women of the Armed Forces and veterans 

who served before September 11, 2001, remain at risk 

for PTS and other mental health injuries; 

Whereas the Secretary of Veterans Affairs reports that— 

(1) since October 2001, more than 390,000 of the 

approximately 1,160,000 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 PTS; 

(2) in fiscal year 2014, more than 531,000 of the 

nearly 6,000,000 veterans who sought care at a medical 

facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs received 

treatment for PTS; 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 615,000 have received a 

diagnosis for at least 1 mental health injury; 

Whereas many cases of PTS remain unreported, 

undiagnosed, and untreated due to a lack of awareness 

about PTS and the persistent stigma associated with 

mental health conditions; 

Whereas exposure to military trauma can lead to PTS; 


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

Whereas public perceptions of PTS or other mental health injuries 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 PTS and the symptoms of PTS, but many 

challenges remain; 

Whereas increased understanding of PTS can help diminish 

the stigma attached to this mental health issue, and additional efforts are needed to find further ways to reduce 

this stigma—including an examination of how PTS is 

discussed in the United States and a recognition that 

PTS is a common injury that is treatable and repairable; 

Whereas PTS can result from any number of stressors other 

than combat, including rape, sexual assault, battery, torture, confinement, child abuse, car accidents, train 

wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disaster, and 

affects approximately 8,000,000 adults in the United 

States annually; and 

Whereas the designation of a National Post-Traumatic Stress 

Awareness Month and a National Post-Traumatic Stress 

Day will raise public awareness about issues related to 

PTS, reduce the stigma associated with PTS, and help 

ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of 

war receive proper treatment: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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1 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Post2 Traumatic Stress Awareness Month’’ and ‘‘National 

3 Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day’’; 

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 

8 members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and the 

9 public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of 

10 post-traumatic stress injuries; 

11 (3) encourages commanders of the Armed 

12 Forces to support appropriate treatment of men and 

13 women of the Armed Forces who are diagnosed with 

14 PTS; and 

15 (4) respectfully requests that the Clerk of the 

16 House of Representatives transmit a copy of this 

17 resolution to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and 

18 the Secretary of Defense. 

Æ 


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