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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur
3after a person experiences trauma, including, but not limited
4to, the stress of combat, abuse, accidents, and natural
5disasters and affects approximately eight million adults in
6the United States annually; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The brave men and women of the United States
8Armed Forces, who proudly serve the nation and risk their
9lives to protect our freedom, deserve the investment of every
10possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental,
11and emotional well-being; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Combat-related PTSD stress among our men and
13women in the Armed Forces is significantly pronounced, given
14that they are often exposed to highly traumatic events for
15weeks, months, and even years; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Between 10% and 30% of service members will
17develop PTSD within a year of leaving combat, while others may
18not develop symptoms until years later; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Despite its treatability, many cases of PTSD
20remain undiagnosed and untreated due to a lack of awareness of
21this condition and the persistent stigma associated with

 

 

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1mental health conditions; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Raising awareness of this condition is necessary
3to remove the stigma and to encourage those suffering to seek
4proper and timely treatment that may save their lives; and
 
5    WHEREAS, All citizens suffering from PTSD deserve our
6consideration and those who are affected by PTSD from wounds
7received while protecting our freedom, deserve our respect and
8special honor; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
11REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we declare June 27,
122024 as Illinois PTSD Awareness Day to be observed throughout
13the State as a day of awareness and recognition of how
14post-traumatic stress disorder affects the lives of those
15impacted by it.