Post-Traumatic Growth

Floor Speech

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Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I thank Lieutenant General Bergman, the most senior officer ever elected to Congress. I am proud to serve with him.

I rise today to advocate in support of those fighting to transform trauma into triumph.

June is PTSD Awareness Month. I want to stop right there. I don't like to say PTSD because it is not a disorder. It is actually normal when someone encounters a traumatic situation in their life to have that kind of response. It is time to recognize a serious condition, though, that affects many veterans and civilian members of our community.

As part of this awareness, Post-Traumatic Growth Day, as General Bergman said, was June 13, a day to recognize the transformative power of resilience, strength, and courage, and an opportunity to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with growth and transformation.

Research tells us that 70 percent of American adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life and that two-thirds of children experience trauma before the age of 16. Of the 6 million veterans served by the Department of Veterans Affairs in fiscal year 2021, about 10 out of every 100 men and 19 out of every 100 women were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress.

Many battle their demons alone, especially veterans, focused almost exclusively on negative impacts of trauma and struggle, trying to protect loved ones from their suffering. Feelings of hopelessness or failure often permeate their thoughts and add to the challenge of healing. This often leaves individuals feeling alone and victims of their own worst experiences.

It is time to change the conversation and highlight the possibility of growth after trauma, to show how struggle can be a catalyst for profound growth and transformation. It is time to advocate for success.

In Proverbs 4:23--one of my favorite books in the Bible--it tells us to ``Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.'' This is especially true for those trying to overcome horrific events in their lives, and it is the foundational message of the Choose Growth campaign, an initiative focused on raising awareness that trauma doesn't have to be the end of the story.

Awareness is necessary to remove the stigma and to encourage those suffering to seek proper and timely treatment that may save their lives and restore them to being productive and successful members of society.

Treatment can take many forms, from peer-related therapies to medications. The key is finding what works best for each individual. Support from loved ones and groups provides a positive impact on outcomes. That is why I share my own experience with PTS after spending 1 year in Iraq and having been on the receiving end of 3 to 30 rockets or mortars a day.

When I got home, I had reflexive instincts wherever I went to be ready to find cover. Even in Chicago, walking with my dad, my dad looked at me and said: What are you doing?

I said: I can't help it. I am looking for where I should dive if a mortar rocket comes in.

Though I know it is not going to happen, I did that every day multiple times for over a year. It is called muscle memory.

Thankfully, for me, this slowly ebbed away after 2 or 3 months, but I know others are not so fortunate. That is why we are here today.

The bottom line: In these trying times, I urge my colleagues to come together and advocate for those fighting to transform trauma into triumph and to reclaim their lives.

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