HLS 23RS-965 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 50
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAGLEY
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes June 27, 2023, as Post-Traumatic Stress
Injury Awareness Day
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize Tuesday, June 27, 2023, as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.
3 WHEREAS, everyone has a right to the preservation of personal dignity; and
4 WHEREAS, all citizens of the United States deserve the investment of resources to
5ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and
6 WHEREAS, the diagnosis known as post-traumatic stress disorder was first defined
7by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980 in order to more accurately understand and
8treat veterans who endured severe, traumatic combat stress; and
9 WHEREAS, combat stress has historically been viewed incorrectly as a mental
10illness caused by a pre-existing flaw of character or ability, and the word disorder carries a
11stigma that perpetuates this misconception; and
12 WHEREAS, referring to complications from post-traumatic stress as a disorder
13perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness, and this stigma can discourage the
14injured from seeking proper and timely medical treatment; and
15 WHEREAS, through the use of electro-magnetic imaging, the medical field has
16demonstrated that the condition of post-traumatic stress is more accurately described as an
17injury; and
18 WHEREAS, post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) is a common injury to the brain that
19is treatable and repairable; and
20 WHEREAS, PTSI can occur as a result of severely traumatic events, including
21interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, and combat disasters; and
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HR NO. 50
1 WHEREAS, destigmatizing PTSI and honoring the bravery of persons recovering
2from this injury can favorably influence those affected and encourage them to seek help
3without fear of retribution or shame; and
4 WHEREAS, all citizens suffering from PTSI deserve our compassion and
5consideration, and those who have received their wounds in action against an enemy of the
6United States further deserve our tribute and recognition; and
7 WHEREAS, proper and timely treatment can improve health outcomes and diminish
8rates of suicide among people with PTSI.
9 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
10Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Tuesday, June 27, 2023, as Post-Traumatic
11Stress Injury Awareness Day in Louisiana.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature does hereby urge the Louisiana
13Department of Health and Department of Veterans Affairs to increase efforts to educate
14survivors of interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, and natural disasters;
15veterans and their families; and the general public about the causes, symptoms, and
16treatments of post-traumatic stress injury.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 50 Original 2023 Regular Session Bagley
Recognizes June 27, 2023, as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.
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