As we bring Mental Health Awareness Month to a close, we want to inform you that this is the final week of our mental health awareness series. This week, we are focusing on PTSD, providing you with essential resources and information to better understand and address this condition.
Understanding PTSD is vital for creating a supportive and compassionate environment for both our staff and patients. Below, you will find valuable resources designed to help manage PTSD effectively. As your behavioral health team, we are committed to supporting you and our patients, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to promote mental well-being.
Thank you for your dedication and participation throughout this series. Together, we can foster a resilient and caring community.
Warm regards,
Your Behavioral Health Team
Week 5: Understanding PTSD
Interesting Fact: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 3.5% of U.S. adults every year, and an estimated one in eleven people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime (American Psychological Association, 2013).
Resources for More Information:
- National Center for PTSD: VA PTSD Resources
- PTSD UK: PTSD UK Information
- PsychologyTools: PTSD Explained
- Psych2Go: 5 Types of PTSD Video
- Crisis Prevention Institute: Free Trauma-Informed Care Resources Guide
Self-Directed Exercise:
- Journaling for Emotional Release: Encourage writing down thoughts and feelings related to stress and trauma for 10 minutes each day to help process emotions related to PTSD (van der Kolk, 2014).
- Self-Compassion: Dr. Kristin Neff’s research shows that self-compassion improves emotional regulation, which is crucial for managing PTSD symptoms. By fostering self-kindness and reducing self-criticism, self-compassion helps trauma survivors cope more effectively with their emotions. For more information, you can explore her work on self-compassion.org, greatergoodberkley.edu and the Greater Good Science Center (Self-Compassion) (Greater Good).
- 7 Tools for Managing Traumatic Stress: The NAMI website provides seven practical tools for managing traumatic stress, offering guidance and resources to support recovery. For more details, visit NAMI’s 7 Tools for Managing Traumatic Stress.