ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 49
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAGLEY AND SENATORS BERNARD AND MILLIGAN
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To recognize June 2020 as Post-traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month and to recognize
Saturday, June 27, 2020, as Post-traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day in
Louisiana.
WHEREAS, all people have a right to the preservation of their personal dignity; and
WHEREAS, all citizens of the United States deserve the investment of resources to
ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and
WHEREAS, the diagnosis known as post-traumatic stress disorder was first defined
by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980 in order to more accurately understand and
treat veterans who had endured severe, traumatic combat stress; and
WHEREAS, combat stress has historically been viewed incorrectly as a mental
illness caused by a pre-existing flaw of character or ability, and the word disorder carries a
stigma that perpetuates this misconception; and
WHEREAS, referring to the complications from post-traumatic stress as a disorder
perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness, and this stigma can discourage the
injured from seeking proper and timely medical treatment; and
WHEREAS, through the use of electro-magnetic imaging, the medical field has
demonstrated that the condition of post-traumatic stress is more accurately described as an
injury; and
WHEREAS, post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) is a common injury to the brain that
is treatable and repairable; and
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WHEREAS, PTSI can occur as a result of severely traumatic events including,
without limitation, interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, and natural
disasters; and
WHEREAS, destigmatizing PTSI and honoring the bravery of persons recovering
from this injury can favorably influence those affected and encourage them to seek help
without fear of retribution or shame; and
WHEREAS, all citizens suffering from PTSI deserve our compassion and
consideration, and those who have received their wounds in action against an enemy of the
United States further deserve our tribute and recognition; and
WHEREAS, proper and timely treatment can improve health outcomes and diminish
rates of suicide among people with PTSI.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize the month of June 2020 as Post-traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month and
does hereby recognize Saturday, June 27, 2020, as Post-traumatic Stress Injury Awareness
Day in Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature does hereby urge the Louisiana
Department of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase efforts to educate
survivors of interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, and natural disasters,
veterans and their families, and the general public about the causes, symptoms, and
treatments of post-traumatic stress injury.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
governor of Louisiana and the secretary of state.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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