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June is PTSD Awareness Month

The National Center for PTSD invites you to Help Raise PTSD Awareness during the month of June to help those with PTSD. We encourage everyone to learn, connect, and share with others.

LEARN about PTSD

Take the mystery out of PTSD: learn what it is, who is affected, and how treatment can help. Find out if you or a loved one has PTSD, and discover ways to get help.

• Download Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment - a quick guide to the basics.
• View a series of short, animated videos that describe PTSD and what treatment is like.
• Take advantage of online tools that help manage PTSD symptoms with PTSD Coach Online and mobile apps.
• Hear from Veterans, family members and their providers at AboutFace.

Visit the National Center for PTSD website for more information.

CONNECT to resources that can help

Give support. Get support. You can make a difference today in someone's life. For many people, it can be hard to reach out for help. Read tips on how to overcome barriers to care, and know that there is support for family and friends too.

SHARE with others to spread the word

Please spread the word to help raise awareness of PTSD and its effective treatments. Reach out to friends, family, and others in your community. We provide a variety of ideas and Promotional Materials to help you distribute information to your community or organize an event in June, including:

• PTSD Awareness flyers and posters to print and post
• PTSD educational materials to print and handout
• Social media posts to use
• Graphics and banners for your website or blog

Let us know about your contributions to this cause. Complete the Raise PTSD Awareness Pledge (PDF) or email ncptsd@va.gov.

Join the national conversation at www.facebook.com/VAPTSD and share your voice. Everyone can contribute.

History of PTSD Awareness Month

In 2010, Congress established June 27 as PTSD Awareness Day following Senator Kent Conrad's efforts to designate a day of awareness as tribute to North Dakota Army National Guard SSgt. Joe Biel. SSgt. Biel suffered from PTSD after two tours of duty in Iraq and subsequently died by suicide. This tragic event emphasizes the need for everyone to work together to help those living with PTSD.

We now highlight the month of June as PTSD Awareness Month.

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For Providers

PTSD in Health Care Settings

This 15-minute video for medical center staff shows how patients' PTSD symptoms may come into play in health care settings.

Presenting the experiences of three Veterans in a busy VA hospital, the video can help employees - especially non-clinical staff - better understand and respond to behavior that may be related to PTSD.

A facilitator's guide is included that provides suggestions for how managers and trainers can use the PTSD Awareness in Healthcare Settings video as part of employee training sessions.

While the video takes place in a VA clinic, it is applicable to all healthcare settings.

PTSD Lecture Series

Free continuing education credits for our monthly lecture series.

Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET.

Subscribe to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

Consult with PTSD Experts

The PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting. This program is now open to Community Providers.

Have a question about PTSD? Contact us:
Call 866-948-7880 or
Email PTSDconsult@va.gov

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Stay Up-To-Date

Are you staying up-to-date with the latest research developments in PTSD?

Learn about best practices in PTSD assessment and treatment at the National Center for PTSD website. We provide many tools you can use to better help your patients with PTSD. The National Center also offers free PTSD Continuing Education opportunities for health care professionals.

During PTSD Awareness Month, please encourage your colleagues to subscribe to these publications from the National Center for PTSD:

• PTSD Monthly Update
• Clinician's Trauma Update - Online
• PTSD Research Quarterly
• PTSD Lecture Series Updates

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PTSD in the News

Women with severe depressive symptoms have a decreased chance of becoming pregnant, while the use of psychotropic medications does not appear to harm fertility. A story in Science News on a study conducted by Boston University Medical Center and National Center for PTSD, quoted lead author Yael Nillni, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine and a researcher with the National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division of the VA Boston Healthcare System. Read more.*

Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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