National PTSD Awareness Month: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National PTSD Awareness Month (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National PTSD Awareness Month is observed on June 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National PTSD Awareness Month, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as fun facts you ought to know about National PTSD Awareness Month.

📅 What day is National PTSD Awareness Month 2024?

In 2024, National PTSD Awareness Month is on Thursday, June 1st. It is the 1st Thursday in June; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the fun details and facts about June 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

National PTSD Awareness Month is in:

During the month of June, National PTSD Awareness Month raises awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and offers various programs to support those who have experienced this condition. PTSD typically develops in individuals who have gone through highly stressful events like war, physical or sexual abuse, accidents, and more. Symptoms can include depression, anxiety, nightmares, paranoia, difficulty sleeping, intrusive thoughts, and others. While some people may recover from PTSD within a relatively short period, others may require a year or longer to fully heal. It is important to note that effective treatments are available for this mental condition. However, many individuals choose to ignore their symptoms and suffer silently due to a lack of understanding or the perception that seeking help is shameful.

📜 National PTSD Awareness Month History

PTSD is not a newly discovered mental illness; it has been recognized for a long time. The concept was first mentioned by Hippocrates in a poem around 50 B.C., where he described the experiences of soldiers returning home from war. As time went on, PTSD received increased attention, particularly after the English and French wars, as both soldiers and civilians reported symptoms such as anxiety, sleeplessness, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks. During World Wars 1 and 2, the condition was referred to as “shell shock” and “battle fatigue” respectively. It wasn’t until the Vietnam War in the 1970s that the term “PTSD” was officially coined. Earlier treatment methods for PTSD, such as electric shock therapy, were unpleasant. However, with advancements in technology and extensive research, more effective therapies have been developed, including antidepressants, group therapy, and counseling.

National PTSD Awareness Month Facts

🔖 Women are more likely PTSD sufferers
Females have a higher probability of developing PTSD following a sexual assault or traumatic event compared to males, with a likelihood that is twice as high.

🔖 Big T’ and ‘Small t’ types of trauma
The causes and triggers for trauma differ in severity between two types: the ‘Big T’ which refers to trauma resulting from life-threatening situations like wars, natural disasters, or physical assault; and the ‘Small T’ which is caused by non-life-threatening but distressing events like divorce, sudden relocation, or financial problems.

🔖 8% of the population will experience PTSD
The National Center for PTSD reported that approximately 7-8% of individuals will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.

👍 Why Is National PTSD Awareness Month Important

The human mind and body collaborate in intricate ways to keep us alive and well. This month, we are reminded not just of the incredible power of the human intellect but also of some of its limits. It serves as a reminder that we are not machines and that our emotions are entirely natural. And, unlike machines, we have the ability to improve on our own by assisting one another.

The more individuals who discuss PTSD, the more others will become aware of it and seek treatment for it. This cascade effect will also shed light on different sorts of mental problems that people experience following a stressful incident.

The road to rehabilitation may seem different for each individual, but it is always present. The month educates people about better treatment alternatives. It also discusses several trigger points and what people may do to decrease or prevent them.

🙂 How To Observe National PTSD Awareness Month

Talk about PTSD

Stand with PTSD survivors
Individuals who have experienced PTSD need to be shown love, attention, and care. Studies have shown that having a support system of friends and/or family members can contribute to a faster recovery from illness. It is important to be there for them by understanding their specific symptoms, helping them seek professional help if needed, or just being a listening ear.

Learn about PTSD
The primary goal of National PTSD Awareness Month is to raise awareness of the condition. Talk to your friends and family about it, attend PTSD-related activities, and give to PTSD groups if you can. But, whatever you do, keep distributing information about the illness.

📅 When is National PTSD Awareness Month?

YEAR DATE DAY
2024 June 1 Saturday
2025 June 1 Sunday
2026 June 1 Monday
2027 June 1 Tuesday
2028 June 1 Thursday

See all 🔗 June holidays, including 🔗 Health and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about National PTSD Awareness Month. So be sure to check back soon.

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