PTSD Awareness Day

Floor Speech

Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I'm rising today to recognize Post Traumatic Stress Awareness Day and so that we can honor our men and women in uniform who have so bravely served our Nation. For them, when they come home, the battle doesn't end, which is why we must ensure that they're well served as they go through the transition from combat to civilian life.

Research has shown that an estimated 18.5 percent, or nearly one in five of our courageous veterans, suffer from PTSD or depression. This number is likely artificially low because of a reluctance to report these conditions. Further, PTSD and other mental conditions can often lead to other serious psychological and physical health conditions.

In Congress, we must ensure that we work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to address these issues as they face our veterans coming home. We owe it to them, these selfless, servant leaders, to empower them so that they can be provided the seamless transition they need and empower them to continue their service to our communities here at home.

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