THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

102

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

DECLARING JUNE 27 OF EACH YEAR AS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY AWARENESS DAY AND DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF JUNE OF EACH YEAR AS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY AWARENESS MONTH IN HAWAII.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, all citizens of the United States possess the basic human right to the preservation of personal dignity; and

 

     WHEREAS, all citizens of the United States deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and

 

     WHEREAS, the diagnosis known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first recognized and defined by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980 to more accurately understand and treat veterans who had endured severe operational combat stress; and

 

     WHEREAS, combat stress injuries have historically been unjustly portrayed as a mental illness caused by a preexisting flaw of character or ability, and that the word "disorder" carries a stigma that perpetuates this misconception, which can discourage the injured from seeking proper and timely medical treatment; and

 

     WHEREAS, referring to the complications from combat operational stress as a disorder perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness; and

 

     WHEREAS, it has been shown through electro-magnetic imaging that post-traumatic stress conditions are more accurately described as an injury rather than as a disorder; and

     WHEREAS, severe post-traumatic stress is a very common and treatable injury to the brain, which can occur following extreme traumatic events including, but not limited to, interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, or natural disasters; and

 

     WHEREAS, referring to the condition as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) is less stigmatizing and viewed as more honorable, and this designation can favorably influence those affected and encourage them to seek treatment without fear of retribution or shame; and

 

     WHEREAS, while all citizens suffering from PTSI deserve compassion and consideration, those men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have received these wounds in action against an enemy of the United States deserve our special tribute and acknowledgement; and

 

     WHEREAS, PTSI is an injury that is repairable, and timely treatment can diminish complications and prevent suicides among the injured; and

 

     WHEREAS, Michigan was the first state to pass a Concurrent Resolution recognizing a PTSI awareness day in 2014 and since that time 39 other states, as well as the United States House of Representatives, have passed similar Concurrent Resolutions officially proclaiming support for PTSI awareness; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, the House of Representatives concurring, that the twenty-seventh day of June of each year shall be designated as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the month of June of each year shall be designated as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month in Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and the United States Department of Veteran Affairs are urged to continue working to educate victims of interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, or natural disasters and their families, as well as the general public, about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress injury; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor for appropriate proclamation and execution and to the Secretary of State of the United States for appropriate publication and preservation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Veteran Affairs; Governor; Director of Health; Director of the State Office of Veterans Services; and the Executive Director of Honor For All, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma attached to post-traumatic stress, and to preserving the dignity of the injured while working to avert impulsive or dangerous behavior which might lead to suicide.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Post-Traumatic Stress; Resolution; Awareness; Designated Day