As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 21
2025-2026
Senator Schaffer
Cosponsors: Senators Brenner, Koehler, Liston, DeMora, O'Brien, Wilkin,
Weinstein, Smith
A R E S O L U T I O N
To urge the U.S. Congress to support the provision of
prompt and comprehensive mental health treatment to
military personnel and veterans who are suffering from
post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-
related stress disorders.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
WHEREAS, According to the National Institutes of Health,
the most common mental health problems faced by returning troops
are, in order, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), substance use disorder, anxiety disorder, and serious
mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; and
WHEREAS, The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were the longest
combat operations since Vietnam, and the stress of being in a
war zone or long-term naval deployment combined with the stress
of being away from home for long periods of time can increase
the chance of having PTSD or other mental health problems; and
WHEREAS, According to research conducted at Brown
University's Watson Institute for International and Public
Affairs, 30,177 active duty personnel and veterans who served in
the military after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
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As Introduced
have died by suicide compared to the 7,057 service members
killed in combat in those same 20 years; and
WHEREAS, According to the United Service Organizations,
Inc., suicide rates among active-duty military members in 2021
were at an all-time high since recordkeeping began after
September 11, 2001, and had been increasing over the previous
five years at an alarmingly steady pace; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S.
Department of Defense, and many other entities are working to
identify and address the issues of veterans and military
personnel suffering from PTSD and other service-related stress
disorders; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
has established the National Center for PTSD as a center of
excellence for research and education on the prevention,
understanding, and treatment of PTSD; and
WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, each medical center within the Department has PTSD
specialists who provide treatment for veterans with PTSD; and
WHEREAS, Mental trauma may not be as easily identifiable as
the physical trauma suffered by military personnel and veterans,
and may require additional resources to identify and treat; and
WHEREAS, Only qualified and licensed medical professionals
with experience treating military personnel and veterans should
have the authority to approve or disapprove mental health
treatment of military personnel and veterans experiencing
service-related stress disorders; and
WHEREAS, While support and treatment programs are available
to veterans and military personnel suffering from PTSD or other
service-related stress disorders, there are many service members
who are still not receiving sufficient treatment; and
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WHEREAS, Several recommendations made by the U.S.
Government Accountability Office to the U.S. Department of
Defense have not yet been fully implemented to ensure that PTSD
and traumatic brain injuries are appropriately considered prior
to separating certain service members from the military for
misconduct, thereby placing both the earned benefits due to
veterans and the mental health of some service members and
veterans in jeopardy; and
WHEREAS, The service members who willingly sacrifice their
safety for the freedom of all Americans deserve to have access
to all the resources and support services necessary for them to
reintegrate into society; and
WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, a person who served in the active military, naval, or
air service and who was discharged or released under conditions
other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits
including qualifying Reserve and National Guard members; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Ohio Senate of the
136th General Assembly, urge the United States Congress to
support the provision of prompt and comprehensive mental health
diagnosis and treatment to all military personnel and veterans
who are suffering from PTSD and other service-related stress
disorders; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
ensure that each of the U.S. Government Accountability Office's
recommendations is implemented to guarantee that PTSD and
traumatic brain injuries are appropriately considered prior to
separating certain service members from the military for
misconduct; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we believe military personnel and veterans
who had separation or discharge from military service related to
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As Introduced
mental health issues should have consideration to correct
records to a more honorable discharge; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we affirm that post-military service
civilian income should not have any bearing on eligibility for
healthcare-related benefits or treatment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly
authenticated copies of this resolution to the President of the
United States, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Speaker
and Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, the President
Pro Tempore and Secretary of the U.S. Senate, the members of the
Ohio Congressional delegation, and the news media of Ohio.
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