The U.S. Postal Service on Monday announced their “Healing PTSD” semipostal stamp as an effort to raise funds for U.S. veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The “Healing PTSD” stamp will be sold for 65 cents, which is a ten cent markup over the cost of standard postal stamps. The stamp covers the First-Class Mail single-piece postage rate while the revenue from the sales will go to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“The Postal Service is honored to issue this semipostal stamp as a powerful symbol of the healing process, growth and hope for tens of millions of Americans who experience PTSD,” David C. Williams, the vice chairman of the Board of Governors for the U.S. Postal Service said as he dedicated the new stamp.
“Today, with the issuance of this stamp, the nation renews its commitment to raise funds to help treat soldiers, veterans, first responders, health care providers and other individuals dealing with this condition,” Williams said.
Various veteran and health organization leaders joined Williams in the dedication of the stamp. Those individuals included Koby J. Langley, senior vice president, American Red Cross; Chuck Denny, founder, American Veteran Foundation; Dan Miller, Wounded Warriors Project; Donald Tyson, president of the Charlotte Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Dr. Paula Schnurr, executive director of the VA’s National Center for PTSD.
The stamp features the image of a green plant, sprouting from the ground and growing through fallen leaves. The image is meant to symbolize the process of healing from PTSD. The stamp was designed by art director Greg Breeding, with original art by Mark Laita.
The stamps can be purchased at local post offices nationwide, as well as online at The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), or by mail through USA Philatelic.
The USPS is also promoting the #HealingPTSDStamp and #SemipostalStamps social media hashtags to spread the news of the semipostal stamp.
Semipostal stamps were authorized as a USPS means of fundraising for causes it considers are “in the national public interest.”
The USPS previously released the “Military Working Dog Forever” stamp in August of this year, according to Military.com. The stamp was released to commemorate four military working dog breeds, including the German shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Labrador retriever and the Dutch shepherd.
Another military-themed stamp is the “Purple Heart Forever” stamp, released in October of this year. Both stamps remain available at USPS locations but are not part of any fundraising effort. As such, they are each available for the standard 55 cent First Class mail rate.
