67th Legislature SJ 20.1
1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20
2 INTRODUCED BY S. O'BRIEN
3
4 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
5 MONTANA RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY ON MONTANANS AND
6 CULTIVATING INCREASED AWARENESS AND SUPPORT.
7
8 WHEREAS, posttraumatic stress injury is a brain injury that develops after a person has experienced or
9 witnessed a traumatic event; and
10 WHEREAS, veterans, first responders, and survivors of violence commonly suffer from the effects of
11 posttraumatic stress injury, and symptoms include persistent flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety; and
12 WHEREAS, while posttraumatic stress injury can be treated if addressed in a proper and timely
13 manner, the stigma surrounding posttraumatic stress injury prevents many people from reaching out for the
14 care they need and deserve; and
15 WHEREAS, we must do everything we can to eliminate this stigma so Montanans with posttraumatic
16 stress injury feel comfortable seeking care and receiving support.
17
18 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
19 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
20 That the Legislature does hereby designate June 27 of each year as Posttraumatic Stress Injury
21 Awareness Day and June as Posttraumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature respectfully urges the Department of Public Health
23 and Human Services and the Veterans' Affairs Division of the Montana Department of Military Affairs to
24 continue working to educate victims of interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, or natural
25 disasters, their families, and the general public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of posttraumatic
26 stress injury.
27 - END -
-1- Authorized Print Version – SJ 20