EVENTS
MENTAL HEALTH Awareness Events
Learn about the various days, weeks, and months that are dedicated to raising awareness for many mental health topics throughout the year.
Upcoming Events
June 1st
National Say Something Nice Day
June 2nd
World Eating Disorders Action Day
June 10th – 16th
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week
June 10th – 16th
National Men's Health Week
June 18th
National Panic Day
June 27th
National PTSD Awareness and Screening Day
National PTSD Awareness Month
Men’s Health Month
Featured Event: National PTSD Awareness Month
National PTSD Awareness Month is observed in June and it ushers in an array of awareness campaigns run for the benefit of PTSD survivors. PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, occurs in people after they have experienced a particularly traumatic event like war, violent physical/sexual/verbal assault, accidents, and so forth. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, nightmares, paranoia, insomnia, disturbing thoughts, and much more. Many people recover from PTSD after a few days, weeks, or months. Yet, for others, the recovery road might mean one year or more. This mental disorder is highly treatable, but due to the lack of knowledge around it as well as the stigma attached to seeking mental help, many choose to ignore the problem and suffer through it.
ABOUT 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.
HISTORY OF PTSD AWARENESS MONTH
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
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.
Source: NATIONAL PTSD AWARENESS MONTH - May 2024: National Today
OTHER RESOURCES ON PTSD AWARENESS
PTSD Information and Resources.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a traumatic event. A traumatic event is a life-threatening event such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood.
PTSD is a real problem and can happen at any age. If you have PTSD, you are not alone. It affects over 12 million American adults (3.7% of the adult population) in any given year. Learn more at Mental Health America.
PTSD Screening
Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Take a PTSD test now.
Men's Health Month Information and Resources
Mental Health America is proud to recognize June as Men's Health Month. Check out the infographic for some quick facts about men, mental health, and mental illnesses.