PTSD AWARENESS MONTH HIGHLIGHTS SHOCKING 75% VETERAN PTSD RATE


By bblouin
PTSD awareness ribbon

PTSD awareness is an important cause because the disorder affects all too many Americans. Be it from trauma suffered during an unfortunate accident or at the hands of others, the effects of such events continue to play a role in our mental health. This is why PTSD Awareness Month, particularly for Veterans, is such an important time and one in which we can highlight the importance of taking care of our mental health and connect those who may need a helping hand to the right resources. Related read:How You Can Combat Discrimination Against Veterans With PTSD

When Is PTSD Awareness Month?

June is PTSD Awareness Month, an annual cause put on by the National Center for PTSD from Veterans Affairs (VA). There is also National PTSD Awareness Day, during which participants are encouraged to get screened to better their mental health. PTSD Awareness Day is held on June 27th and has been celebrated since the U.S. Senate declared it in 2010. This would lead to the creation of PTSD Awareness Month in 2014.

What Is PTSD Awareness Month?

The initiative has five main tenants that represent the importance of the month:

  1. Raise Awareness.
  2. Spread the Word.
  3. Partner with the National Center for PTSD.
  4. Understand PTSD.
  5. Get support for PTSD.

Each part of PTSD Awareness Month helps inspire change and deliver resources to those who may need them the most. The percentage of U.S. Veteran and active service respondents experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder reached an alarmingly high rate of 75% in 2021. Even worse still were the terribly high numbers in 2019 and 2020, both reaching 82.8%. Some of the things you can expect to participate in during PTSD Awareness Month include signing a pledge to help get the word out, taking a PTSD screening on PTSD Awareness Day, helping those who are suffering connect with professional help, exercising, learning how to get involved in volunteering opportunities, and much more. It’s also encouraged that participants wear the color teal all month long. There are ribbons you can wear, or you can simply wear a teal piece of clothing or accessory. Teal is the official PTSD awareness color, and wearing it during June can help raise awareness while showing support to those dealing with this mental health issue. More like this:How To Use the National Center for PTSD As a Veteran

PTSD Awareness Can End Stigmas and Help Others

Huge components of PTSD Awareness Month revolve around not only putting the issue at the forefront of Americans’ minds but also providing education to those who are suffering as well as those who are not. There are still many stigmas around PTSD, and those stigmas can hurt Veterans and others unjustly. This can be displayed in the workplace, social groups, the American justice system, etc. With so many suffering from PTSD, awareness to clear up ignorance is an important and worthy cause. The education part of PTSD Awareness Month can also help you help yourself and help others. You’ll better understand what you or a loved one is going through and how to discuss it in a productive manner. Understanding PTSD can help you and others find the correct avenues to manage the disorder and lead productive lives.

Participate in PTSD Awareness Year-Round

Holding an annual PTSD Awareness Month is important because of the many who suffer and the sizable amount of ignorance surrounding mental health. But mental health isn’t just important in June or when wearing a teal ribbon. It is vital that everyone helps those who need assistance find the right resources to manage their mental health and that we all do our part to detect potential PTSD so that it can be treated. Suggested read:How To Cope With PTSD and Get Off the Couch When Life Gets You Down


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