Today is the 10th anniversary of National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day. The national holiday was proposed by Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota. But it was actually Staff Sgt. Matthew James Leaf, who brought the story to the senator’s attention.
Matthew set out to tell the story of his best friend, Staff Sgt. Joe Biel, who died by suicide following two tours in Iraq. And, thanks to Matthew, National PTSD Awareness Day was established and is celebrated every year on Joe’s birthday.
Participating in National PTSD Awareness Day 2020
After losing his best friend to this disorder, Matthew wanted to raise awareness of, and support for treating the disorder.
How can you participate in National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day?
- Learn more – PTSD does not look the same for all people
- Spread the word – use the #NationalPTSDAwarenessDay hashtag on your favorite social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) and shine a light on PTSD
- Reach out – whether by phone or video chat, connect with someone you care about
- Volunteer with a group that helps veterans
As Matthew wrote in his letter to congress, “Maybe if we all take a minute to listen we can stop one more tragedy from ever happening again.”
You Do Not Have to Be a Veteran to Experience Trauma
PTSD is not just experienced by veterans; traumatic events can occur in a variety of environments.
What types of traumatic events can cause PTSD? Some of the most common are:
- Military experiences
- Physical or sexual assault
- Child physical or sexual abuse
- Severe accidents (car wrecks, severe injuries)
- Natural disasters, fires, or pandemics
- Witnessing traumatic events experienced by others
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of PTSD?
What does PTSD look like? PTSD symptoms can vary widely, but may include:
- Flashbacks and nightmares
- Memory problems
- Lack of emotion
- Avoiding places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma
- Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
- Feeling jumpy or on edge
- Easily irritated and angered
Mental Health Counseling Can Help Individuals Experiencing Symptoms of PTSD
As Senator Conrad said to the senate, this holiday is about letting people “know it’s okay to come forward and say they need help. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek assistance.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: National Center for PTSD website or the National Resource Directory to find resources in your area.
Dr. Alyx MacTernan offers secure online counseling sessions for clients wanting to learn coping mechanisms and better strategies to address PTSD. And Elemental Mental Health offers online mental health counseling services to residents of California, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Fill out the website contact form to learn more.