National PTSD Awareness Day is June 27th

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Recognizing PTSD and understanding its implications is vital for supporting those affected by it.

Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms can appear within a month of the traumatic event or may surface years later. These symptoms can significantly impact social life, work, and relationships, varying over time and from person to person. Symptoms are typically grouped into four categories:

1. Intrusive Thoughts: Reliving traumatic events through flashbacks or nightmares.
2. Avoidance: Steering clear of places, people, or activities that remind one of the traumatic events.
3. Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Feelings of hopelessness, memory problems, or difficulty maintaining close relationships.
4. Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions: Being easily startled, feeling tense, having trouble sleeping, or experiencing angry outbursts.

PTSD in Healthcare Workers
For our healthcare workers here at Cameron, and across the industry, the threat of PTSD hits close to home. According to the CDC, a survey of 26,174 healthcare workers revealed that 52.8% reported symptoms of at least one adverse mental health condition within a two-week span. The breakdown of these conditions is as follows:

• Depression: 30.8%
• Anxiety: 30.3%
• PTSD: 36.8%
• Suicidal Ideation: 8.4%

Raising awareness about PTSD and ensuring access to mental health services is crucial, especially for high-risk groups such as healthcare workers. National PTSD Awareness Day on June 27th serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing this serious mental health condition.

When to Seek Help
If you or someone you know has been experiencing disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, or if these symptoms are severe and interfere with daily life, it’s crucial to seek help from a doctor or mental health professional. Immediate help should be sought if there are suicidal thoughts; contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 911 if there is an immediate risk of self-harm. Remember, support is available, and reaching out is the first step towards recovery.