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(136th General Assembly)
(Senate
Resolution Number 21)
A resolution
To urge the U.S. Congress to support the provision of prompt and
comprehensive mental health treatment to military personnel and
veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and
other service-related stress disorders.
Be it resolved
by the Senate of the State of Ohio:
WHEREAS,
According to the National Institutes of Health, the most common
mental health problems faced by returning troops are, in order,
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use
disorder, anxiety disorder, and serious mental illness such as
schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; and
WHEREAS, The wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq were the longest combat operations since
Vietnam, and the stress of being in a war zone or long-term naval
deployment combined with the stress of being away from home for long
periods of time can increase the chance of having PTSD or other
mental health problems; and
WHEREAS, According to
research conducted at Brown University's Watson Institute for
International and Public Affairs, 30,177 active duty personnel and
veterans who served in the military after the September 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks have died by suicide compared to the 7,057 service
members killed in combat in those same 20 years; and
WHEREAS, According to
the United Service Organizations, Inc., suicide rates among
active-duty military members in 2021 were at an all-time high since
recordkeeping began after September 11, 2001, and had been increasing
over the previous five years at an alarmingly steady pace; and
WHEREAS, The U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and
many other entities are working to identify and address the issues of
veterans and military personnel suffering from PTSD and other
service-related stress disorders; and
WHEREAS, The United
States Department of Veterans Affairs has established the National
Center for PTSD as a center of excellence for research and education
on the prevention, understanding, and treatment of PTSD; and
WHEREAS, According to
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, each medical center within
the Department has PTSD specialists who provide treatment for
veterans with PTSD; and
WHEREAS, Mental trauma
may not be as easily identifiable as the physical trauma suffered by
military personnel and veterans, and may require additional resources
to identify and treat; and
WHEREAS, Only qualified
and licensed medical professionals with experience treating military
personnel and veterans should have the authority to approve or
disapprove mental health treatment of military personnel and veterans
experiencing service-related stress disorders; and
WHEREAS, While support
and treatment programs are available to veterans and military
personnel suffering from PTSD or other service-related stress
disorders, there are many service members who are still not receiving
sufficient treatment; and
WHEREAS, Several
recommendations made by the U.S. Government Accountability Office to
the U.S. Department of Defense have not yet been fully implemented to
ensure that PTSD and traumatic brain injuries are appropriately
considered prior to separating certain service members from the
military for misconduct, thereby placing both the earned benefits due
to veterans and the mental health of some service members and
veterans in jeopardy; and
WHEREAS, The service
members who willingly sacrifice their safety for the freedom of all
Americans deserve to have access to all the resources and support
services necessary for them to reintegrate into society; and
WHEREAS, According to
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a person who served in the
active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or
released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA
health care benefits including qualifying Reserve and National Guard
members; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we, the
members of the Ohio Senate of the 136th General Assembly, urge the
United States Congress to support the provision of prompt and
comprehensive mental health diagnosis and treatment to all military
personnel and veterans who are suffering from PTSD and other
service-related stress disorders; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that each of the U.S.
Government Accountability Office's recommendations is implemented to
guarantee that PTSD and traumatic brain injuries are appropriately
considered prior to separating certain service members from the
military for misconduct; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we
believe military personnel and veterans who had separation or
discharge from military service related to mental health issues
should have consideration to correct records to a more honorable
discharge; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we
affirm that post-military service civilian income should not have any
bearing on eligibility for healthcare-related benefits or treatment;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the
Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this
resolution to the President of the United States, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, the Speaker and Clerk of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the U.S.
Senate, the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and the
news media of Ohio.
President _________________ of the Senate.
Adopted
____________________, 20____