PTSD Awareness Day
Every year on 27th June, we celebrate PTSD Awareness Day. On this day, we shed on light on PTSD and those who experience it.
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.
In honour of Staff Sergeant Biel who died by suicide due to PTSD, US Senator Kent Conrad wanted to increase awareness of PTSD by introducing legislation to recognise the impact of PTSD for affected veterans and their families. June 27, the Sergeant’s birthday, was selected as the official PTSD Awareness Day worldwide in remembrance of him. 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.
The Signature Project
The Signature Project in Edinburgh works with men over the age of 16, who have experienced either single or complex trauma and who are registered with a GP in Edinburgh. We address the physical, psychological and social impact of trauma and work towards whatever is important to them.
In addition to one-to-one support, the Signature Project offers a:
- Stress management group
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) group
- Weekly Peer Support Group facilitated by men with lived experience of PTSD.
These groups bring hope. Hearing other men who face similar challenges is an extremely powerful step, especially for those who may not have spoken openly about their experiences for years or even decades.
The Signature Project accepts both agency and self-referrals and can be contacted on 0131 374 7008 or by email at signature@changemh.org.
“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 and 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.
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.
Take on a challenge event so that you can have fun, raise awareness AND raise crucial funding for Change Mental Health all at the same time!
From 5K Supernova runs and marathons, to zipsliding 1245ft across the River Clyde, we can help you find the challenge event that works for you. Take on a challenge for Change Mental Health and help us support more people impacted by PTSD across Scotland.
Raise £100 for Change Mental Health this Summer by doing 100 of anything that makes you feel great during July. It’s free to sign up and you can help more people like Antony to get support with PTSD.
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.
