National PTSD Awareness Month

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Awareness Mental Health
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every June
Holiday emoji:: 🎗️

National PTSD Awareness Month dedicates June to educating the public about post-traumatic stress disorder and supporting those affected. This month highlights the treatability of PTSD and combats the stigma around seeking mental health care. Join campaigns, share resources, and advocate for better understanding and support.

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Expected National PTSD Awareness Month Deals

National PTSD Awareness Month in June focuses on education and support rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) and PTSD Foundation of America lead campaigns, often partnering with corporations for donation matching or awareness drives. Many mental health service providers offer free screenings or discounted initial consultations. Look for virtual events, webinars, and online resource guides from groups such as Mental Health America (MHA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). We encourage direct donations to reputable charities and participation in awareness walks or advocacy initiatives throughout the month.

Platform Guide for National PTSD Awareness Month

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #PTSDAwarenessMonth. Share workplace mental health resources and support initiatives.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PTSDAwarenessMonth. Share community support group information and personal stories of resilience.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #PTSDAwarenessMonth. Share quick facts, statistics, and links to reputable mental health articles.

National PTSD Awareness Month Hero

Dr. Jonathan Shay

Dr. Jonathan Shay is a clinical psychiatrist who has worked for decades with combat veterans suffering from severe psychological trauma. His seminal works, 'Achilles in Vietnam' (1994) and 'Odysseus in America' (2002), explore the psychological and moral injuries of war, drawing parallels between ancient Greek epic poetry and the experiences of modern veterans with PTSD. His research has profoundly influenced the understanding and treatment of trauma.

History of National PTSD Awareness Month

In 2010, the U.S. Senate declared June 27 to be National PTSD Awareness Day. However, in 2014, it designated the whole month of June to be observed as National PTSD Awareness Month. This was a welcome move by many PTSD organizations and support groups as many felt that more awareness campaigns needed to be held for people to seek help when it came to PTSD. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the most active forerunners in the fight against PTSD, has released a special June calendar that people can download. This special calendar features several activities (like raising awareness on social media through sharing PTSD helplines, articles, subscribing to YouTube channels, finding local PTSD therapists, etc.) aimed to increase awareness and support for PTSD survivors.

PTSD is not a newly recognized mental disorder. The disorder dates back to 50 B.C. when it was described in a poem by Hippocrates. He talks about the experiences of a soldier returning home after a battle. PTSD started gaining more attention after the wars between England and France when many people, civilians and soldiers alike, reported experiencing symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, intrusive and disturbing thoughts, and flashbacks. This continued throughout WW1 and WW2, with PTSD being named as ‘Shell Shock’ and ‘Battle Fatigue’, respectively. It was during the 1970s’ Vietnam War that the mental disorder was renamed PTSD. Earlier treatments related to electric shock therapy and other painful options. But today’s modern technology and extensive research have led to much better and effective treatments like group therapy, counseling, and antidepressants.

National PTSD Awareness Month timeline

50 B.C.

Earliest Recorded PTSD Evidence

Hippocrates’ poem, narrating a soldier’s symptoms after a war, becomes the earliest recorded instance of PTSD in history.

1910s–1940s

Different Names for PTSD during World Wars

PTSD is named ‘Shell Shock’ and ‘Battle Fatigue’ in WW1 and WW2, respectively.

1970s

PTSD Coined During Vietnam War

The U.S. military veterans describe their trauma and its symptoms after the Vietnam War, resulting in the mental disorder being named ‘post-traumatic stress disorder.’

2014

U.S. Senate Declaration of PTSD Awareness Month

The U.S. Senate designates June as the official month for PTSD Awareness.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National PTSD Awareness Month

Local businesses can observe National PTSD Awareness Month by promoting mental health resources to their employees and customers. Consider hosting a workshop on stress management or resilience, led by a mental health professional, or partnering with a local non-profit for a donation drive. Display informational posters about PTSD and treatment options, and ensure management is trained to support employees who may be struggling.

National PTSD Awareness Month FAQs

When is National PTSD Awareness Month?

National PTSD Awareness Month runs throughout June 2026, dedicating the entire month to education and support for those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a crucial period for advocacy.

How many people are affected by PTSD?

Approximately 6% of the U.S. population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with women twice as likely as men to develop it. This translates to millions seeking support.

What are common symptoms of PTSD?

Common symptoms of PTSD include re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and hyperarousal. These can significantly impact daily life.

Is PTSD treatable?

Yes, PTSD is highly treatable through various therapies, including psychotherapy (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and medication. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes.

How To Observe National PTSD Awareness Month

Stand with PTSD survivors
PTSD survivors need care, attention, and love. Research shows that people recover faster from illness if they have supporters in the shape of friends and/or family. Be there for them by being informed about their specific symptoms, directing them to professional help, or just lending them an ear.
Learn about PTSD
Research about PTSD’s causes, symptoms, and treatments. You will be better equipped in helping people in the future or even yourself.
Talk about PTSD
The main aim of National PTSD Awareness Month is to spread awareness about it. Talk to your friends and family, go to events related to it, and donate to PTSD organizations if you can afford to. But whatever you choose to do, don’t stop spreading information about the disorder.

5 Facts About Trauma That Will Blow Your Mind

8% of the population will experience PTSD
The National Center for PTSD states that around 7–8% of the population will experience PTSD in their lifetimes.
Women are more likely PTSD sufferers
Women are twice more likely to suffer from PTSD than men due to a sexual assault/trauma event.
‘Big T’ and ‘Small t’ types of trauma
There are two types of trauma and they range in the severity of the causes and triggers: the ‘Big T’ is any type of trauma that has occurred due to a life-threatening situation like wars, natural disasters, physical assault, etc., while the ‘Small t’ is caused due to a disturbing event that is not life-threatening like divorce, abrupt relocation, financial woes, etc.
Trembles are normal after trauma
Experts state that it is completely normal and healthy to experience shivers and trembling after a traumatic, stressful event as it is the body’s way to release all of the excess adrenaline.
PTSD is not just from personal experience
Many people can develop PTSD simply because they heard or witnessed someone else going through a traumatic event.

Why We Love National PTSD Awareness Month

It’s a reminder of human strength
The human mind and body work in complex ways to keep us alive and going. This month, we are reminded not only of the human mind’s immense strength but also some of its limitations. It is a reminder that we are not machines and that it is completely normal to feel the emotions that we do. And unlike machines, we have the strength to get better on our own by helping each other.
It’s a reminder of this mental disorder and more
The more talk there is about PTSD, the more people will become aware of it, and the more people will seek treatment for it. This domino effect will also help shed light on other types of mental disorders that people suffer from after a traumatic event.
It’s a reminder of the road to recovery
The road to recovery may look different from one person to another, but it is always there. The month raises awareness about better treatment options. It also talks about the different trigger points and what people can do to reduce or avoid them.