III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 455 

Designating June 27, 2012, as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Awareness Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 10, 2012 

Mr. CONRAD (for himself, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. CASEY, Mr. COONS, Mr. 

HOEVEN, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. ROCKEFELLER, Mr. SANDERS, Ms. SNOWE, 

Ms. STABENOW, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. TESTER, Mr. KERRY, Mr. JOHNSON

of South Dakota, and Mr. FRANKEN) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

MAY 24, 2012 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating June 27, 2012, as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic 

Stress Disorder Awareness Day’’. 

Whereas the brave men and women of the United States 

Armed Forces, who proudly serve the United States, risk 

their lives to protect the freedom of the United States 

and deserve the investment of every possible resource to 

ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing; 

Whereas more than 2,000,000 servicemembers have deployed 

overseas as part of overseas contingency operations since 

the events of September 11, 2001; 


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SRES 455 ATS 

Whereas the military has sustained an operational tempo for 

a period of time unprecedented in the history of the 

United States, with many servicemembers deploying multiple times, placing them at high risk of PTSD; 

Whereas according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance 

Center, approximately 90,000 servicemembers who have 

returned from overseas contingency operations have been 

clinically diagnosed with PTSD; 

Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs reports that— 

(1) since 2002, more than 217,000 of the more than 

750,000 veterans of overseas contingency operations who 

have sought care at a Department of Veterans Affairs 

medical center have been diagnosed with PTSD; and 

(2) in fiscal year 2011, more than 475,000 of the 

nearly 6,000,000 veterans from all wars who sought care 

at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center received treatment for PTSD; 

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 issues; 

Whereas PTSD significantly increases the risk of depression, 

suicide, and drug- and alcohol-related disorders and 

deaths, especially if left untreated; 

Whereas perceived or actual symptoms of PTSD or other 

mental health issues create unique challenges for veterans 

seeking employment; 

Whereas the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs 

have made significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and the symptoms of 

PTSD, but many challenges remain; and 


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SRES 455 ATS 

Whereas the establishment of a National Post-Traumatic 

Stress Disorder Awareness Day 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 27, 2012, as ‘‘National 

3 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day’’; 

4 (2) supports the efforts of the Secretary of Vet5 erans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to edu6 cate servicemembers, veterans, the families of 

7 servicemembers and veterans, and the public about 

8 the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-trau9 matic stress disorder (referred to in this resolution 

10 as ‘‘PTSD’’); and 

11 (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of 

12 the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the 

13 Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of 

14 Defense. 

Æ 


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