III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 455 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 10, 2012 Mr. Conrad (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Tester, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, and Mr. Franken) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary May 24, 2012 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating June 27, 2012, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.

Whereas the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who proudly serve the United States, risk their lives to protect the freedom of the United States and deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; Whereas more than 2,000,000 servicemembers have deployed overseas as part of overseas contingency operations since the events of September 11, 2001; Whereas the military has sustained an operational tempo for a period of time unprecedented in the history of the United States, with many servicemembers deploying multiple times, placing them at high risk of PTSD; Whereas according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, approximately 90,000 servicemembers who have returned from overseas contingency operations have been clinically diagnosed with PTSD; Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs reports that— (1)since 2002, more than 217,000 of the more than 750,000 veterans of overseas contingency operations who have sought care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center have been diagnosed with PTSD; and (2)in fiscal year 2011, more than 475,000 of the nearly 6,000,000 veterans from all wars who sought care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center received treatment for PTSD; Whereas many cases of PTSD remain unreported, undiagnosed, and untreated due to a lack of awareness about PTSD and the persistent stigma associated with mental health issues; Whereas PTSD significantly increases the risk of depression, suicide, and drug- and alcohol-related disorders and deaths, especially if left untreated; Whereas perceived or actual symptoms of PTSD or other mental health issues create unique challenges for veterans seeking employment; Whereas the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have made significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and the symptoms of PTSD, but many challenges remain; and Whereas the establishment of a National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day will raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD, reduce the stigma associated with PTSD, and help ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates June 27, 2012, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day; (2)supports the efforts of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to educate servicemembers, veterans, the families of servicemembers and veterans, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (referred to in this resolution as PTSD); and (3)respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense.