National Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day 2012 Published June 27, 2012 By Senior Airman Steele C. G. Britton Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Public Affairs Washington, D.C. -- Today marks the 3rd National Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day in the U.S. Following the tragedy of N.D. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joe Biel taking his own life after two tours in Iraq, his state senator was moved to action. Senator Kent Conrad, D-N.D., took the national awareness of PTSD to Congress in 2010, which declared June 27 each year to be PTSD Awareness Day; a day which was also Sergeant Biel's birthday. There are concerns that up to 30 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may be affected by PTSD. With such large numbers of returning troops, well trained mental health professionals to assist veterans are necessary. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that it is the responsibility of leaders, from non-commissioned officers on up, to ensure that troops showing signs of stress be "aggressively" encouraged to seek help. National PTSD Awareness Day not only focuses on veterans of foreign war but works to make everyone aware that individuals may suffer from PTSD due to severe tragedy, such as assault or natural disasters, sometime in their life. Asking for help is the first step a person must take to move forward. "We have to make clear we will not tolerate actions that belittle or that haze individuals, particularly those who seek help," said Panetta. For more information, visit the National Center for PTSD online at www.ptsd.va.gov.