PTSD Awareness Day
Held on 27th June, this day highlights the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and the importance of access to the right support.
Around 70% of people will experience a traumatic event in their life and 1 in 3 people who experience a traumatic event are expected to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The scars left by traumatic experiences can be just as painful as physical injuries.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. These distressing events can include natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat, rape or other violent personal assaults.
PTSD Awareness Day is a reminder that the effects of trauma are real, enduring and often misunderstood. But with the right support, people can rebuild a sense of safety, confidence and connection. While the history of PTSD Awareness Day highlights the struggles of military personnel and veterans, it’s important to note that PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced traumatic events.
how we help
At Change Mental Health, we create spaces where people living with PTSD and mental health conditions can feel safe and supported.
In Edinburgh, our Signature Project service offers group activities and social connection in a welcoming space. It supports people to build confidence, reduce isolation and gradually reconnect with their community.
The project also helps with practical needs that may be getting in the way of daily life – offering support that’s both creative and grounded in what matters to each person. Activities are shaped by the people who attend and led with care, creativity and compassion.
These groups bring hope. Hearing from others facing similar challenges can be a powerful step, especially for those who haven’t spoken openly for years or ever.
The Signature Project accepts both agency and self-referrals and can be contacted on 0131 374 7008 or by email at signature@changemh.org.
We also offer support for carers, training for organisations and work in partnership to make mental health and mental illness a priority for everyone.
“Looking back, I can see I’ve lived with trauma my whole life because trauma doesn’t erupt from nothing. There has to be roots somewhere. But like many people, I had tried to just get on with it and put the past behind me, focus on the future.
“But I consistently found that whenever I tried to take steps to create more of the life that I want, I would get so far before old feelings would start to surface. I’d feel like I got pulled right back into the same space of ‘why am I feeling like this? I can’t deal with this stuff’.”
Read more about Antony’s story, his journey with PTSD and getting support with the Signature Project here.
Help create a supportive and creative space for people to connect, take part in group activities, build trust and find a sense of belonging. You don’t need clinical experience – just empathy, reliability and a few hours each week.
Your donation to Change Mental Health, big or small, can allow us to help more people with PTSD to get the support they need, when they need it and in a way which works best for them.
Learn how to recognise the signs of PTSD and other mental health conditions, explore the impact of stigma and understand how to respond with compassion. This online session is open to anyone who wants to improve their awareness and be part of a more trauma-informed community.
Learn more
support
Our Advice and Support Service is open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, where advisers can signpost you to local support that most fits your needs, including our own Change Mental Health services. We offer initial advice on money worries and help to deal with emergencies.
Contact 0808 8010 515, email us at advice@changemh.org or fill out the enquiry form on the Advice and Support Service page.
