PTSD Awareness Day

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. The scars left by traumatic experiences can be just as painful as physical injuries.

Around 70% of people will experience a traumatic event in their life and 1 in 3 people who experience a traumatic event go on to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These distressing events can include natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat, sexual assault or 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 any kind of traumatic event.

trauma vs PTSD

Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to a deeply distressing event that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. Common reactions may include fear, anxiety, shock, emotional numbness and difficulty sleeping. For many people, these responses gradually improve over days or weeks. Experiencing trauma does not automatically mean someone will develop PTSD.

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma. Unlike normal trauma responses, PTSD symptoms persist for weeks or months and significantly interfere with daily life, including work, relationships or everyday responsibilities. Symptoms of PTSD may include:

• Re-experiencing the event (e.g., dreams or intrusive thoughts about what happened)
• Avoiding places, people or activities that remind us of the trauma
• Dissociation
• Altered feelings or mood (e.g., depression, anxiety, agitation)
• Voices and sensory disturbances.

 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 and reduce isolation through peer support 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 608 6389 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.