Amazingly enough -- and suddenly, because the U.S. Senate just passed it -- tomorrow is "National PTSD Awareness Day." Even MORE amazingly, the text of the resolution is very veteran-focused (yippee!).
Here's the full text of the bill. Enjoy! My only quibble is that the numbers seem a little on the low side, but mebbe not. (Actually, the advocacy group Veterans for Common Sense, led by veteran and former VA bureaucrat, Paul Sullivan, lists the numbers as much higher. See link here for current information.)
And, of course, a focus on treatment through integrative medicine would also be nice. It alludes to, but does not mention directly MST (military sexual trauma), which plagues women and men in the Armed Forces AND which unfortunately also leads directly to PTSD. The combination is often too much to bear. With all those caveats, it's still a great bill, and we appreciate any and all emphasis on the topic, as beneficial to veterans, their loved ones, their caregivers, decision-makers, and the general larger community of humankind.
Thanks especially are due the Vietnam veterans, who never gave up (you're still out there, I know! patiently waiting for it to be your turn; the media, for highlighting the problem and ensuring that greater awareness might result in better options for veterans and their communities; veterans' families, loved ones and employers, for not giving up on the veterans in their midst; and the legislators, who passed this bill and in so doing, created more national focus on the post-deployment adjustment difficulties of those who served. Thank you!
RESOLUTION
Designating June 27, 2010, 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 12 percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, 11 percent of Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, 10 percent of Operation Desert Storm veterans, 30 percent of Vietnam veterans, and at least 8 percent of the general population of the United States suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘PTSD’’);
Whereas the incidence of PTSD in members of the military is rising as the United States Armed Forces conducts 2 wars, exposing hundreds of thousands of soldiers to traumatic life-threatening events;
Whereas women, who are more than twice as likely to experience PTSD than men, are increasingly engaged in direct combat on the front lines, putting these women at even greater risk of PTSD;
Whereas—
(1) from 2003 to 2007, approximately 40,000 Department of Defense patients were diagnosed with PTSD;
and
(2) from 2000 to 2009—
(A) more than 5,000 individuals were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of PTSD; and
(B) more than 500,000 individuals were treated for PTSD in outpatient visits;
Whereas PTSD significantly increases the risk of depression, suicide, and drug and alcohol related disorders and deaths;
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
Whereas the establishment of a National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day will raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates June 27, 2010, as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day’’;
(2) urges the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to continue working to educate servicemembers, veterans, the families of servicemembers and veterans, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense.
Editor's note: And if you want to know why we do what we do, here it is. It can change someone's life. Here's how the Vietnam vet, Marine, subject of the "Eyewitness to Combat" section of this site, is doing after a year of addressing his 40-year solid case of chronic, severe PTSD. He came, he saw, he conquered. Other veterans can too. We give them HOPE. First awareness, then treatment, and the chance of getting their life back. (H)Oorah. (Here's the link.)
