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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, All citizens possess the basic human right to the
3preservation of personal dignity; and
 
4    WHEREAS, All citizens deserve the investment of every
5possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental,
6and emotional well-being; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress can result from any number
8of stressors, including combat, interpersonal violence, severe
9impact collisions, natural disaster, and exposure to the
10suffering of others; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The diagnosis known as Post-Traumatic Stress
12Disorder (PTSD) was initially formulated in 1980 by the
13American Psychiatric Association to commonly describe and
14categorize the psychological aftermath of severe traumatic
15distress; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Post-traumatic distress has historically been
17unjustly portrayed as a mental illness caused by a preexisting
18flaw of character or ability, and association with the word
19"disorder" generates a stigma that perpetuates this
20misconception; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, It has been shown though electro-magnetic imaging
2that severe post-traumatic stress causes physical changes
3within the brain that are more accurately described as an
4injury rather than a disorder; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Referring to post-traumatic stress as a disorder
6can disparage the injured and discourage them from seeking
7timely care for their behavioral health needs; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress injury exhibiting
9compliance with criteria B through H of §309.81 in the
10Diagnostic Statistical Manual deserves equal compensation
11strictly matching that presently allowed under the law for
12post-traumatic stress disorder; and
 
13    WHEREAS, All citizens suffering from post-traumatic stress
14injury deserve our compassion and consideration; the brave men
15and women who received these wounds while risking their lives
16to protect our freedom, health, and welfare deserve special
17recognition for their gallantry, commitment, devotion, and
18sacrifice; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Timely access to appropriate treatment of
20post-traumatic stress injury can diminish complications and
21prevent suicide; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3we declare June 27, 2021 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury
4Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we declare June 2021 as Post-Traumatic
6Stress Injury Awareness Month; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That we urge the Departments of Public Health,
8Military Affairs, and Veterans Affairs to continue working to
9educate victims of interpersonal violence, combat,
10life-threatening accidents, or natural disasters and their
11families, as well as the general public, about the causes,
12symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress injury; and
13be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15delivered to the Governor, and we encourage all citizens and
16residents to join in this worthy observance.