Coordinated Community Response Column: June is PTSD Awareness Month

submitted by the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD the definition of post-traumatic stress disorder is “a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident or sexual assault.”

PTSD is more commonly associated with veterans; however, many people might be dealing with symptoms of PTSD without experiencing combat. Normally, people affected by traumatic events can feel symptoms similar to PTSD, but if symptoms go away after a few weeks, that person might not need treatment.

One should be concerned and seek assistance when symptoms of flashbacks, painful memories, trouble sleeping, and feeling on edge interferes with everyday life activity.

Sources of support can be found throughout our community. There are organizations that work closely with different populations affected by PTSD such as the Sexual Assault Center, mental health counseling, Aging and Disability Resource Center, veteran services, human services, and more.

Victims of violent personal assaults, such as sexual assault, can develop PTSD but this is not the case with each person. Advocates at the Sexual Assault Center work with victims to connect them to mental health services within the community. By meeting with a therapist, victims of sexual assault are given options for treatment. Victims have the opportunity to talk with a therapist and determine the best form of treatment for their healing.

To find more local information about mental health services, check out the Door County Mental Health & Crisis Prevention Resource Guide online at co.door.wi.gov or visit Door County Public Health Department to obtain a complete copy of the resource guide. For additional information about PTSD, visit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD website at ptsd.va.gov.

This article is brought to you in part by the Door County Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Teams and the Door County Elder and Adult-at-Risk Interdisciplinary Team.