You Can Make A Difference On PTSD Awareness Day

Guest Post by Gabriela Acosta

 

PTSD Awareness Day:
How You Can Make A Difference

As PTSD Awareness Day (June 27) approaches, I hope you will join us in educating yourself and your community about what post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) really means. According to Dr. Matthew Friedman, Former Executive Director of the National Center for PTSD, “Greater public awareness of PTSD can help reduce the stigma of this mental health problem and overcome negative stereotypes that may keep many people from pursuing treatment.”

Below are four ways you can make a difference starting today!

1. Get Informed About PTSD and Other Mental Health Issues

The Military Family Mental Health Resource Guide is a great place to start for a list of sources on anxiety, depression, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD. Identifying the differences between these mental health issues can be the first step to getting yourself or someone you love the help that they need.

2. Talk to a Friend

Keeping your feelings bottled up isn’t healthy. If you believe you may be struggling with PTSD or any other mental health issue, tell a friend. Likewise, encourage a friend to share what they are going through with you. Once you identify the problem, it will be much easier to seek support.

Another option is to write in a public forum or blog. By sharing your story, you may help someone else struggling with similar feelings to know that they are not alone. If you prefer a less public method of sharing your feelings, consider starting a journal to track your feelings and reactions to triggers. 

3. Seek Treatment for Yourself or a Loved One

If you or a loved one has experienced nightmares, flashbacks, heightened sensitivity, or notice a disruption to your every day life for a period longer than three months after a traumatic event, it may be time to seek treatment. If you suspect that you might suffer from PTSD, an online PTSD screening is a great place to start. All you have to do is answer a series of questions and print out your results and share them with your health care professional. Your physician will be able to guide you to your best treatment options and next steps.

4. Pledge to Raise Awareness

Raising awareness about PTSD is important every day of the year, but I hope that you will join the military community is rallying together on Friday June 27 to help raise awareness. I encourage you to print and share a PTSD Awareness Day flyerand share it around your community and workplace. Remember that you can help prevent misinformation by sharing official research about symptoms and treatment.

Everyone can help raise PTSD Awareness! Join the national conversation at www.facebook.com/VAPTSD and share your voice by using #PTSD on Facebook and Twitter.

Gabriela Acosta  | Community Manager, MSW@USC 

University of Southern California School of Social Work

P: 877 700-4679|  M: 301 648-7256 | gabriela.acosta@usc.edu |@MSWatUSC