Rep. Johnson raises PTSD awareness

Congressman: Our soldiers should never be afraid to ask for help

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4) today passed an amendment to the NDAA to bring greater awareness to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a severe anxiety disorder often associated with combat trauma.

“The last decade of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has taken a toll on our service men and women, who have been stretched to the breaking point,” said Rep. Johnson. “Far too many are coming home with PTSD. We must do more to educate service members, veterans, military families and the public about PTSD and to coordinate efforts across the federal government to promote prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.”

“We must remove the stigma surrounding PTSD,” said Johnson. “Our soldiers should never be afraid to ask for help.”

A Senate companion introduced by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-SD) is expected to pass the Senate in the coming weeks.

“All too many of our servicemen and women are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic stress,” Sen. Conrad said. “More must be done to educate our troops, veterans, families and communities about this illness and the resources available to help them heal from these invisible wounds of war.”

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