National PTSD Awareness Day is a day dedicated to creating awareness about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It was officially designated in 2010 by the United States Senate to create awareness regarding PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It was acknowledged annually as June 27. In 2013, the Senate designated the whole month of June as PTSD Awareness Month.
Typical symptoms of PTSD include distressing dreams, persistent thoughts and recurring flashbacks about the traumatic event or events, numbing or avoidance of memories of the trauma, triggered emotional responses, and persistent hyperarousal.
It has been over 40 years since the Vietnam War ended, but sometimes the passage of time alone is not enough to solve the problems that have haunted our returning service men and women. Vietnam veterans with PTD are a group that does not like to share their problems with others. Related studies of long-term effects of PTSD in Vietnam veterans have sparked debate on the mental health issues that service members have to cope with in a combat zone.
We are proud to be hosting The Vietnam Wall That Heals that is coming to our area October 3-6, 2024.
The traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.
There is so much written about PTSD and so many veterans who have been affected by war. We hope the coming of the wall will help heal some of the trauma. When The Wall That Heals travels from town to town they bring an IN MEMORY book. The IN MEMORY program gives loved ones an opportunity to add veterans who died of PTSD to the In Memory book. Their names will not be on The Wall, but this is a great way to honor these veterans with pictures and stories. More information can be found at www.vvmf.orgIn-Memory-Program /
How to observe National PTSD Day: Reach out to someone you know who struggles with PTSD. Let them know you care and are there to help. Learn more about PTSD a NIMH or VA.gov. Use #NationalPTSDAwarenessDay to share on social media.