Senate Resolution No. 1413

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 10, 2017, as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Awareness Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, In 2010 and every year since, the United States Congress
has designated June 10th as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs, the purpose of PTSD Awareness Day is to raise public awareness
of PTSD and effective treatments to help people affected by PTSD; and

WHEREAS, According to studies by the Rand Institute, at least 20% of
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from PTSD and/or depression; and

WHEREAS, According to the Rand Institute, PTSD can have far-reaching
and damaging consequences if left untreated and put those afflicted at
higher risks for other psychological problems, homelessness and suicide;
and

WHEREAS, According to the Rand Institute, people afflicted with PTSD
have higher rates of unhealthy behaviors that can impair relationships,
disrupt marriages, aggravate the difficulties of parenting, and cause
problems in children that may extend the consequences of combat trauma
across generations; and

WHEREAS, According to the Rand Institute, the symptoms of PTSD often
do not appear for months or years after military deployment, thus many
veterans go undiagnosed for long periods of time; and

WHEREAS, According to the Rand Institute, 50% of those with PTSD do
not seek treatment and only half of those get adequate treatment; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Center for PTSD, women in the
military are increasingly likely to develop PTSD because a growing
number of them are being exposed to combat and are at higher risk of
sexual assault than men; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Center for PTSD, greater public
awareness of PTSD will reduce social stigma and encourage many veterans
and others to seek the treatment they need; and

WHEREAS, Many other localities throughout the nation designate
various days in June and the month itself for PTSD awareness; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs, more than 200,000 veterans reside in New York City; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is greatly concerned with the health
of all New Yorkers who suffer from PTSD, including veterans; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 10, 2017, as
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day in the State of New York;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the
State of New York.