June 27th is National PTSD Day - it fell on a Sunday this year. PTSD is a complex disorder caused by experiencing or witnessing trauma. Trauma occurs with events such as a life-threatening accident, military combat, a natural disaster, sexual assault and more - there are many ways PTSD symptoms can arise, and there is help for those navigating this health condition.
The US Senate and the National Center for PTSD declared June as PTSD Awareness Month in 2010 - you can help their campaign by educating yourself and others about the health condition, and sharing information about resources with those that might need them. Teal ribbons are used to symbolize PTSD Awareness.
UMBC Resources include:
- The Counseling Center (students)
- Employees Assistance Program (faculty and staff, in addition to health benefits)
- Student Disability Services academic program accommodations for all students with disabilities, including PTSD)
- Veteran Services at UMBC
- ADS Employee Accommodations work-related accommodations for faculty, staff and student workers with disabilities, including PTSD
- Students may be interested in joining groups such as NAMi UMBC, We Believe You Survivors, and more.
Off-campus resources are listed via Youth.gov including SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) , National Institute on Mental Health as well as military and veteran initiatives.
A Photo of three black-on-white signs reading DON'T GIVE UP, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and YOU MATTER affiixed to a fence in front of trees accompanies this post. Credit Dan Meyers via Unsplash.
