Resources for National PTSD Awareness Day

The Department of Veterans Affair's National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has put together a list of resources on its website to help spread awareness of PTSD:

• DoD Outreach Center for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
  Contact resources@dcoeoutreach.org or 1-866-966-1020. Provides authoritative information and resources 24/7 to service members, veterans, families and those who support them.
• National Resource Directory
  The NRD links to more than 10,000 services and resources that support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and those who support them.
• NCIRE-The Veterans Health Research Institute
  The Veterans Health Research Institute (Northern California Institute for Research and Education) is a nonprofit research institute devoted to advancing veterans health research.
• United States 211 Information and Referral Systems*
  Many states now have a 2-1-1 comprehensive referral phone line. By dialing 211, any state resident is provided with helpful information regarding a variety of state and community services available to them.
• USA.gov
  USA.gov (formerly FirstGov.gov) is the government's official web portal, a gateway to all government information. From this site you can search millions of web pages from the federal government, state governments and the District of Columbia.
• VA Facilities Locator
  Use this tool to find a VA facility close to you.

Also on the VA's PTSD website are 10 ways your community can help service members who potentially suffer from stress as a result of exposure to combat.

1. Understand that anyone can experience trauma, such as accidents, assault, war or disasters.
2. Think broadly. When trauma happens, the survivor's family, friends, coworkers and community are affected.
3. Learn about common reactions to trauma and readjustment to life outside a war zone.
4. Be aware of where get help for trauma survivors, veterans and people with PTSD.
5. Expand your understanding of how PTSD is identified and treated.
6. Know that treatment for PTSD works.
7. Ask a veteran or trauma survivor if talking would help, but do not push if someone is not ready to discuss things.
8. Realize that stigma is a barrier to getting treatment. Getting people to talk or seek help is not always easy. Your encouragement matters.
9. Know the facts. More than half of U.S. adults will experience trauma in their lifetime. About 7 percent of adults will deal with PTSD at some point. For veterans and male and female sexual assault survivors, the figure is higher.
10. Connect with self-help resources, apps and videos about PTSD.

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