LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
IDAHO
Sixty-fourth Legislature
First Regular Session - 2017
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 110
BY JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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STATING FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE, DECLARING JUNE AS POST-TRAUMATIC
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STRESS INJURY AWARENESS MONTH, DECLARING JUNE 27 AS POST-TRAUMATIC
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STRESS INJURY AWARENESS DAY AND URGING THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
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WELFARE AND THE DIVISION OF VETERANS SERVICES TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT
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POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY.
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Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of
Idaho:
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WHEREAS, all citizens of the
United States possess the basic human right
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to the preservation of personal dignity; and
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WHEREAS, all citizens of the
United States deserve the investment of ev-
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ery possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental and emotional
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well-being; and
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WHEREAS, the brave men and women of the
United States Armed Forces
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proudly serve this country and risk their lives to protect our freedom; and
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WHEREAS, the diagnosis known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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was first defined by the
American Psychiatric Association in 1980 to com-
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monly and more accurately understand and treat veterans who had endured se-
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vere traumatic combat stress; and
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WHEREAS, combat stress has historically been viewed as a mental illness
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caused by a preexisting flaw of character or ability, and the word "disorder"
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carries a stigma that perpetuates this misconception; and
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WHEREAS, Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) can occur after experi-
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encing a severely traumatic event to include, but not be exclusive to, sex-
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ual assault, child abuse, high-impact collisions and crashes, natural dis-
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asters, acts of terrorism and military combat; and
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WHEREAS, Post-Traumatic Stress Injury is a very common injury to the
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brain that is treatable and repairable; and
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WHEREAS, referring to the complications from post-traumatic stress as
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a disorder perpetuates the stigma of and bias against mental illness, and
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this stigma can discourage the injured from seeking proper and timely medi-
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cal treatment; and
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WHEREAS, making Post-Traumatic Stress Injury less stigmatized and more
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honorable can favorably influence those affected and encourage them to seek
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help without fear of retribution or shame; and
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WHEREAS, proper and timely treatment can diminish suicide rates; and
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WHEREAS, all citizens suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Injury de-
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serve our compassion and consideration, and those who have received these
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wounds in action against an enemy of the
United States further deserve our
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tribute and acknowledgment.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the First Regular
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Session of the Sixty-fourth
Idaho Legislature, the Senate and the House of
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Representatives concurring therein, that June of each year be designated as
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Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month and that June 27 of each year be
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designated as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature respectfully urges the De-
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partment of Health and Welfare and the Division of Veterans Services to con-
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tinue working to educate victims of abuse, crime and natural disasters, ser-
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vice members, veterans and their families, and the general public about the
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causes, symptoms and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Injury.