South Carolina § 53-3-205 - Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.

§ 53-3-205. Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.

June twenty-seventh of each year is designated as South Carolina Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) Awareness Day.

HISTORY: 2016 Act No. 162 (H.4816), SECTION 1, eff April 21, 2016.

Editor's Note

2016 Act No. 162, preamble, provides as follows:

"Whereas, the brave men and women who proudly serve the United States Armed Forces by risking their lives to protect our nation and its ideals deserve the investment of all possible resources to their long-term psychological, physical and emotional health; and

"Whereas, the acronym PTSI refers to the term post-traumatic stress injury; and

"Whereas, post-traumatic stress injury occurs after a person has experienced severe trauma and can result from the stress produced in combat, as well as in car accidents, plane crashes, bombings, child abuse or natural disaster; and

"Whereas, post-traumatic stress injuries can be characterized by numerous symptoms including: flashbacks, avoidance, hyper-vigilance, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and thoughts of suicide; and

"Whereas, more than two million American service men and women have been deployed by the United States Armed Forces since September 11, 2001; and

"Whereas, many members of the United States Armed Forces deploy more than once, increasing the risk of developing post-traumatic stress injuries; and

"Whereas, the reference to the word 'disorder' when describing a post-traumatic stress injury may imply a negative connotation; and

"Whereas, this negative connotation can discourage United States Armed Forces service men and women, as well as other citizens who experience post-traumatic stress injuries from seeking and receiving aid; and

"Whereas, the establishment of Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day would raise public awareness of the injury; and

"Whereas, the establishment of Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day also would increase awareness of the need to develop effective treatments and aid the effort to eliminate any negative stigmas associated with post-traumatic stress injuries. Now, therefore, [text of act]."