HR0136 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0136 LRB102 16948 MST 22365 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

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

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

WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress can result from any number of stressors, including combat, interpersonal violence, severe impact collisions, natural disaster, and exposure to the suffering of others; and

WHEREAS, The diagnosis known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was initially formulated in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association to commonly describe and categorize the psychological aftermath of severe traumatic distress; and

WHEREAS, Post-traumatic distress has historically been unjustly portrayed as a mental illness caused by a preexisting flaw of character or ability, and association with the word "disorder" generates a stigma that perpetuates this misconception; and

WHEREAS, It has been shown though electro-magnetic imaging that severe post-traumatic stress causes physical changes within the brain that are more accurately described as an injury rather than a disorder; and

WHEREAS, Referring to post-traumatic stress as a disorder can disparage the injured and discourage them from seeking timely care for their behavioral health needs; and

WHEREAS, Post-traumatic stress injury exhibiting compliance with criteria B through H of §309.81 in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual deserves equal compensation strictly matching that presently allowed under the law for post-traumatic stress disorder; and

WHEREAS, All citizens suffering from post-traumatic stress injury deserve our compassion and consideration; the brave men and women who received these wounds while risking their lives to protect our freedom, health, and welfare deserve special recognition for their gallantry, commitment, devotion, and sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Timely access to appropriate treatment of post-traumatic stress injury can diminish complications and prevent suicide; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare June 27, 2021 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare June 2021 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Departments of Public Health, Military Affairs, and Veterans Affairs 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 a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, and we encourage all citizens and residents to join in this worthy observance.