The U.S. Postal Service has a new stamp that benefits veterans with PTSD

The United States Postal Service debuted a new stamp that will help raise funds for veterans who are living with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

The stamp’s artwork is an illustration of a vibrant green plant sprouting out of the ground, surrounded by fallen leaves, with the words “Healing PTSD.” The photo is meant to symbolize the PTSD healing process, according to the postal service. The stamp was designed with original art from award-winning Los Angeles-based photographer Mark Laita, whose photography has also been used by companies like Adidas, BMW and Visa.

The semiannual stamp, which is a stamp that helps raise money, will benefit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which oversees the National Center for PTSD.

“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,” said David C. Williams, vice chairman of the Board of Governors for the U.S. Postal Service, in a news release.

“With issuing the stamp, the country renews its commitment to raise funds to help treat soldiers, veterans, first responders, health care providers and others who are dealing with PTSD,” Williams said.

More than 8 million Americans have PTSD, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and about 67% of people who have been exposed to mass violence have been shown to develop the condition. The disorder can cause those affected to re-experience traumatic events through distressing recollections, flashbacks and nightmares, experience emotional numbness, feel cut off from others and have difficulty sleeping and concentrating, while feeling jumpy and easily irritated.

The Healing PTSD stamp is being sold for 65 cents, which is 10 cents higher than the current First-Class Mail postage rate and will help fund PTSD research. This is the second semipostal stamp that U.S. Postal Service has issued under a program that allows the postal service to advance causes it considers to be in the national public interest. 

An Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp was issued in Nov. 2017. Each stamp issued under the program is sold for up to two years.