Resolution Introduced to Improve PTSD Awareness

| 5/11/2012

For the third consecutive year, a resolution was introduced into the U.S. Senate to bring more recognition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Senator Kent Conrad introduced a resolution designating June 27 as National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.

According to the National Institute for Mental Health, PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.

"All too many of our servicemen and women are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic stress," Conrad said. "More must be done to educate our troops, veterans, families and communities about this illness and the resources available to help them heal from these invisible wounds of war. "

Conrad developed the idea for a National PTSD Awareness Day in 2010 after learning of the efforts of North Dakota National Guardsmen to draw attention to PTSD by paying tribute to Staff Sgt. Joe Biel, who served in the 164th Engineer Combat Battalion. Biel suffered from PTSD and took his life in 2007. The date was inspired by Biel`s birthday.

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