June is a significant month for mental health. Beyond the start of summer and longer days, it’s also Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. 

I urge you to help raise awareness about PTSD. In my role as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at HC Mental Health and Wellness Telepsych NP, I’ve witnessed firsthand the resilience of those with PTSD as they work towards recovery, along with notable improvements in treatment, particularly through the growth of telehealth services.

Many of us are familiar with PTSD, but there are some aspects you might not be aware of. First, PTSD goes beyond normal stress reactions, and not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. Interestingly, women are twice as likely to experience PTSD as men. Although it’s commonly linked to military service members, the truth is that more than 80% of PTSD cases occur in civilians.

PTSD is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. It’s not a sign of weakness, nor is it something that people “just get over.” Instead, it’s a complex response to trauma that can profoundly impact a person’s life, affecting their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors long after the danger has passed. 

PTSD doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone who has experienced trauma, regardless of age, gender, background, or profession. While commonly associated with veterans, first responders, and survivors of combat, it can also manifest in individuals who have experienced:

• Serious accidents

• Natural disasters

• Assaults (physical or sexual)

• Childhood abuse or neglect

• Unexpected deaths of loved ones

• Medical trauma