HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 164

RECOGNIZING JUNE 2024 AS "POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY MONTH" AND JUNE 27, 2024 AS "POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY DAY".

WHEREAS all citizens are entitled 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 is a significant public health issue that can result from a variety of stressors including combat, interpersonal violence, high-impact collisions, natural disasters, and exposure to the suffering of others; and

WHEREAS , post-traumatic stress has historically been unjustly portrayed as a mental illness caused by a preexisting flaw of character or ability, and the word “disorder" carries a stigma that perpetuates this misconception; and

WHEREAS the diagnosis known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was initially formulated in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association to describe and categorize the symptoms and behavioral complications of severe traumatic stress; and

WHEREAS the stigma presented by the term PTSD acts as a barrier that interferes with seeking and receiving timely care; and

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

WHEREAS any injury exhibiting compliance with criteria A through H, §309.81 in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual deserves consideration and compensation strictly matching legal entitlements provided for disabilities that have been or are currently, classified as post-traumatic stress disorder; and 

WHEREAS timely access to appropriate treatment of traumatic stress injury can avert complications and prevent suicide; and

WHEREAS all citizens suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Injury deserve our compassion and recognition, the brave men and women having received these wounds while risking their lives to protect our freedom, safety, and welfare deserve special recognition for their gallantry, commitment, and sacrifice.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152nd  General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that June 2024 is recognized as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Month” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that June 27, 2024, is recognized as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Day” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge all citizens to observe this day and month with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote public understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with traumatic stress injury, and their families.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution recognizes June 2024 as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Month” and June 27, 2024, as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Day”, and encourages citizens of the state to continue their work educating victims of assault or abuse, combat, serious accidents, and natural disasters about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of PTSI.