Last week I told you that as Senator, I often draw on my experience and perspectives as a professional educator –but that during the joint session honoring our National Guard members, my views were informed by my experience as a member of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

That perspective also was something I drew on as Senate co-author of House Bill 2595. The legislation would allow judges to consider post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a mitigating factor when sentencing veterans. This should enable veterans to get the help they need instead of simply being sent to jail.

In layman’s terms, the National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as a disorder that develops in some people who have seen or lived through a shocking, terrifying or dangerous event. When people are in a situation like that, it can trigger intense physic logical changes, sometimes described as a flight-or-fight response. That stress and adrenaline rush can help us make snap decisions that can get us out of dangerous situations. For someone with PTSD, unrelated events can trigger those responses in a very intense way that can actually impact his or her ability to cope with daily living, and it can happen for months and years after the event that brought it on.

If you suffer from PTSD, you may feel angry, engage in high-risk behaviors, or attempt to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. You may event react violently in certain situations. It should be easy to see how that could easily result in an individual getting into trouble with the law.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 11 percent of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans and 15 percent of Vietnam veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD, but the numbers may actually be higher—many never seek treatment so they are never diagnosed. Other studies have found at least 30 percent of those who’ve spent time in war zones experience PTSD.

Our state has two PTSD diversion programs, one in Tulsa County and another in Oklahoma County that can help veterans get treatment.

It’s important that our community, law enforcement and our courts understand that many of our veterans suffer not only physical wounds from their combat experiences, but emotional and mental wounds that can’t be seen.

These men and women answered the call of duty when their country needed them. Some of those who’ve come home are struggling with problems related to PTSD. Being able to recognize that fact and take it into account when determining the best way to address such cases is the right thing to do for our veterans.

This bill has been approved by both chambers and is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

I welcome your comments on state government and the issues before us. Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator J.J. Dossett at the State Capitol, Room 521-A, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; call me at (405) 521-5566.