June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month

In honor of June being National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is taking steps to increase understanding and create awareness of PTSD.

PTSD is a mental health disorder that can occur when a person is having difficulty recovering from a traumatic event, such as sexual or physical assault, natural or man-made disaster, and war-related combat stress.

It is not unusual for a person to experience a difficult event. For some people, the effects of the experience may fade over time. But for others, the effects of such events do not fade away, even if it occurred months or years ago.

While PTSD is most commonly associated with Veterans, it can be experienced by anyone. In the U.S., about 60% of men and about 50% of women experience at least one trauma in their lives. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men, it can also develop in children.

Fortunately, PTSD is a treatable illness and symptoms can be easily identified. Symptoms can include: anxiety, irritable or aggressive behavior, nightmares, or flashbacks. If symptoms go untreated, it can possibly lead to suicidal thoughts. It is important to get help as soon as possible so that these feelings do not occur.

Training and Treatment Innovations (TTI), an OCHN service provider, offers the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program in six counties, including Oakland. The program provides outreach services, case management, and temporary financial assistance to Veterans and their families.

Additionally, OCHN recently added a Veterans Navigator position to its service delivery array. The duties of the Veterans Navigator include identifying resources for veteran and military families, making appropriate referrals, coordinating care, providing follow up, and assuring wrap around services are available.

To learn more about PTSD awareness in Oakland County visit www.oaklandchn.org or contact Customer Services at (800) 341-2003. To learn more about TTI’s SSVF program, go to www.ttiinc.org

About OCHN

Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is the public mental health system responsible for identifying, influencing, and delivering services and supports to approximately 26,000 Oakland County residents, including individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and persons with substance use disorders. Most of these individuals have Medicaid.

OCHN’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easterseals Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, Inc., and Training and Treatment Innovations. A complete list of substance use service providers is available on OCHN’s website. For more information about OCHN call 800- 341-2003 or visit www.oaklandchn.org