WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal
Service today announced that a semipostal stamp to help raise funds
for those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is
being issued Dec. 2 at McGlohon
Theater at Spirit Square in Charlotte,
NC.
The Healing PTSD semipostal stamp features a photographic
illustration of a green plant sprouting from the ground, which is
covered in fallen leaves. The image is intended to symbolize the
PTSD healing process. Art director Greg
Breeding designed the stamp with original art by
Mark Laita.
Tens of millions of Americans will experience PTSD in their
lifetimes. Today, the nation is increasingly dedicated to
compassionately treating this mental health issue.
While post-traumatic disorders have long been a subject of
study, PTSD was not officially added to the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely used reference
guide published by the American Psychiatric Association, until the
late 20th century.
The condition develops in some children and adults who have
survived a traumatic event. Experiences such as a natural disaster,
car accident, physical or sexual assault, abuse, and combat, among
others, can trigger PTSD.
When the Healing PTSD semipostal stamp becomes available, it
will be sold for 65 cents. The price
includes the first-class single-piece postage rate in effect at the
time of purchase plus an amount to fund PTSD research. By law,
revenue from sales of the Healing PTSD semipostal stamp — minus the
postage paid and the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred by
the Postal Service — will be distributed to the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
The Semipostal Authorization Act, Pub. L. 106–253, grants the
U.S. Postal Service discretionary authority to issue and sell
semipostal stamps to advance such causes as it considers to be ''in
the national public interest and appropriate.'' Under the program,
the Postal Service intends to issue semipostal stamps over a
10-year period, with each stamp to be sold for no more than two
years. The Alzheimer's semipostal stamp, issued Nov. 30, 2017, was the first. The Healing PTSD
semipostal stamp is the second. Additional discretionary semipostal
stamps have not yet been determined.
Under the Act, the Postal Service will consider proposals for
future semipostals until May 20,
2023. The Federal Register notice outlining this program can
be found at the following
url: www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-04-20/pdf/2016-09081.pdf.
Proposals will only be considered if they meet all submission
requirements and selection criteria. They may be submitted by mail
to the following address:
Office of Stamp Services
Attn: Semipostal Discretionary Program
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260–3501
Suggestions may also be submitted in a single Adobe Acrobat
(.pdf) file sent by email
to semipostal@usps.gov. Indicate in the
Subject Line: Semipostal Discretionary
Program.
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products
through The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling
800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations
nationwide.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating
expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services
to fund its operations.
Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media
resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo
stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on
Twitter, Instagram,
Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the
USPS YouTube channel, like us on
Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For
more information about the Postal Service, visit
usps.com and facts.usps.com.
National Contact: Roy Betts
202.268.3207
roy.a.betts@usps.gov
Local Contact: Philip
Bogenberger
704.492.9405
philip.j.bogenberger@usps.gov
usps.com/news
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SOURCE U.S. Postal Service