PTSD Awareness Starts with You: Learn, Listen, Advocate

Post contributed by Audra Stewart-Gordon, Community Health and Communications Coordinator

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining a light on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, honoring those who live with it, and educating others to build empathy and understanding.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This might include military combat, natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, serious accidents, or other life-threatening situations. While many people experience trauma, not all develop PTSD. For those who do, the effects can be long-lasting and deeply disruptive.

Common Symptoms

  • Intrusive memories or flashbacks

  • Nightmares or trouble sleeping

  • Avoidance of reminders of the trauma

  • Hypervigilance or feeling constantly “on edge”

  • Negative changes in thinking and mood, including guilt, shame, or detachment from others

PTSD doesn’t always look the same for everyone, and it can affect anyone — regardless of age, gender, or background.

Why Awareness Matters

Stigma and misunderstanding around PTSD often prevent people from seeking help. Many may fear being judged, seen as weak, or misunderstood. By raising awareness, we create space for compassion, conversation, and connection.

How You Can Help

  • Educate yourself and others: Learn about PTSD, its causes, and how it affects people. Share accurate information in your community or on social media.

  • Listen with empathy: If someone opens up about their experience, listen without judgment. You don’t need to have all the answers — your presence and compassion are enough.

  • Support access to care: Advocate for mental health services, trauma-informed care, and policies that support survivors.

  • Encourage healing: Recovery from PTSD is possible. Support loved ones in accessing therapy, peer support, and resources that foster resilience.

Resources for Support

Together we can replace silence with understanding, and stigma with support. Healing happens in community — and awareness is the first step.

POSTTracey CarlsonHPM, mental health awareness, trauma, post-traumatic stress, trauma informed, PTSD