AJR90,,112023 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 90 November 7, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Kurtz, Moore Omokunde, Riemer, Vining, Edming, C. Anderson, Andraca, Bare, Binsfeld, Brandtjen, Callahan, Conley, Considine, Dittrich, Donovan, Doyle, Drake, Duchow, Emerson, Gundrum, Gustafson, Joers, S. Johnson, Kitchens, Krug, Macco, Magnafici, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Novak, O’Connor, Ohnstad, Ortiz-Velez, Palmeri, Pronschinske, Ratcliff, Rettinger, Rozar, Schmidt, Shankland, Shelton, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Spiros, Steffen, Stubbs, Subeck, Wichgers and Jacobson, cosponsored by Senators Testin, Wirch, Ballweg, Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Carpenter, Cowles, Felzkowski, Feyen, Hesselbein, James, Larson, Marklein, Nass, Pfaff, Roys, Spreitzer, Taylor and Wanggaard. Referred to Committee on Rules.
AJR90,,22Relating to: declaring November 2023 as Veterans’ Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month in Wisconsin. AJR90,,33Whereas, Wisconsin is home to more than 331,000 veterans who have faithfully answered the call of military service; and AJR90,,44Whereas, veterans experience high levels of stress when transitioning from military to civilian life, and about half of returning veterans do not immediately receive the resources, benefits, and services that they need; and AJR90,,55Whereas, veterans are more likely to become chronically homeless than nonveterans, experience disproportionately high unemployment rates, and face harsh and undeserved stigma upon returning home after service; and AJR90,,66Whereas, veterans’ homes and family lives are often burdened by afflictions like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, physical injury, anxiety and depression, and substance use disorder; and AJR90,,77Whereas, veterans are five times more likely to experience depression and 15 times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder than nonveterans; and AJR90,,88Whereas, 40 to 50 percent of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans have been diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder; and AJR90,,99Whereas, over the past 20 years, 30,000 active-duty service members and veterans have tragically died by suicide, which is more than four times the number of service members killed in active combat in that time; and AJR90,,1010Whereas, suicide is the second leading cause of death among veterans between the ages of 18 and 44; and AJR90,,1111Whereas, the critical work of nonprofit organizations has raised public awareness of veteran mental health issues like suicide, substance abuse, post-combat injuries, and the transition from military service to civilian life; and AJR90,,1212Whereas, the 22 Pushup Challenge has played a vital role in engaging veterans in supporting their comrades coping with mental health challenges, partnering with organizations dedicated to empowering veterans and delivering critical mental health services to veterans and their families; now, therefore, be it AJR90,,1313Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin Legislature declares November 2023 as Veterans’ Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month in Wisconsin.
