The Senate this week unanimously passed a resolution, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), designating June as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month in order to improve diagnosis and treatment for men and women of the Armed Forces and veterans suffering from PTSD. The resolution also designates June 27 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.
“Those who have served our country deserve every available resource to ensure their mental, physical, and emotional well-being,” Sen. Warner said. “These invisible war wounds can lead to depression, homelessness, and even suicide if left untreated. It’s imperative we continue conversations about PTSD to remove the stigma and ensure those suffering receive the support and treatment they need.”
While the Senators recognize the advances that have been made in the identification, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD, they recognize further support is imperative. The resolution recognizes that PTSD is underreported and undertreated due to lack of awareness and persistent stigma. By designating National PTSD Awareness Month and Day, Sen. Warner hopes to raise public awareness and increase support among military and veteran communities, including among medical professionals and commanders.
Sen. Warner has long supported veterans and members of the Armed Forces struggling with PTSD. In 2009, Sen. Warner successfully pushed the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove barriers which blocked female veterans returning from honorable service in Iraq and Afghanistan from accessing V-A treatment and services for PTSD and other combat-related health issues. That same year, Sen. Warner also advocated for increased exploration into the effectiveness of telehealth services to care for individuals with PTSD who reside in medically underserved areas. Today’s resolution represents Sen. Warner’s continued commitment to progress for sufferers of PTSD and other mental health disorders.
Other sponsors of the resolution include U.S. Sens. Heidi Keitkamp (D-MT), Dean Heller (R-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Thune (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Al Franken (D-MN), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Susan Collins (R-ME).
Full text of the resolution is available here.
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