HR1161 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1161 LRB099 21422 MST 47411 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who proudly serve the United States and risk their lives to protect our freedom deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and

WHEREAS, All citizens deserve the basic human right to the preservation of personal dignity; and

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

WHEREAS, Combat operational stress has historically been viewed as a mental illness caused by a preexisting flaw of character and/or ability; the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) carries a stigma that perpetuates this misconception; and

WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress can occur after experiencing a severely traumatic event to include sexual assault, child abuse, high-impact collisions and crashes, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and military combat; and

WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress is a very common injury to the brain that is treatable and repairable; and

WHEREAS, Referring to the complications from post-traumatic stress as a disorder perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness; the stigma discourages those suffering from post-traumatic stress from seeking proper and timely medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, Making the condition 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; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate June 27, 2016 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we designate June of 2016 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Department of Public Health and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to continue working to educate victims of abuse, crime, and natural disasters, service members, veterans and their families, and the general public, about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress injury; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to Governor Rauner.