Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2014. Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee members Rep. DesJarlais, M.D. (R-TN) and Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced a bipartisan resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. Experts believe roughly 11 to 20 percent of Veterans who served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and more than 5,200,000 people are estimated to live with PTSD throughout the country.
“Our brave men and women in uniform return from the battlefield, often with invisible scars from witnessing the terrors of war. Sadly, many cases of PTSD are unreported because of the stigma surrounding mental health in our country,” said Rep. DesJarlais. “As a former physician at a VA hospital, I witnessed the toll these injuries have on our servicemen and I hope by bringing greater awareness to PTSD, more soldiers returning home will seek help and support.”
“As a nation, we have a commitment to our Veterans to make sure that they receive the care that they need, and that means reducing barriers to care however we can. When an average of 22 Veterans commit suicide every day, we are failing them,” said Rep. Duckworth. “I am proud to join with Rep. DesJarlais in sponsoring this resolution to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with Post Traumatic Stress.”
Source: duckworth.house.gov
