National PTSD Awareness Day

Today is National PTSD Awareness Day and I really want to make a difference for people struggling with PTSD, their caregivers, and their families.  PTSD is something that affects my family each and everyday.  Every single person who is close to my husband has been affected in some way by his PTSD.

One way, we can all make a difference is by educating ourselves and by passing information along through our social media sites.  This is a very simple task and can be done by anyone.  There are so many great resources out there about PTSD that are easy to understand and share.  Below is a list of some of my favorites.

• www.silentsiren.org Silent Siren is the organization that Allen and I founded to help families supporting a loved one with PTSD gain confidence in the Emergency System when in crisis and to educate emergency responders about PTSD.  You can find information about PTSD and mental illness in general through our website.  Connect on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Silent-Siren/248325948549110.
• www.karlasmithfoundation.org Karla Smith Foundation is the parent organization of Silent Siren and "supports families affected by mental illness and suicide."  Under their learn more tab you can find information, support, resources, and coping strategies.  Find KSF on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KarlaSmithFoundation.
• www.tugmcgraw.org Tug McGraw Foundation "provides resources and hands-on support, fosters understanding, promotes awareness, and stimulates research and scientific collaboration to improve the quality of life for people with brain-related trauma and tumors."  They recently launched a redesigned website that has great information on TBI, PTSD, and brain tumors and includes information for caregivers.  It also includes an interactive message board for each of their areas of focus.  https://www.facebook.com/tugmcgrawfoundation to connect on facebook.
• www.familyofavet.com Family of a Vet "helps veterans and the people who love them, find their way, find information, and to find a way not only to cope with life after combat....but to survive and thrive."  From their website you can find many articles about just about anything related to PTSD and secondary PTSD.  To find FOV on facebook go to https://www.facebook.com/LifeAfterCombat
• www.ptsd.va.gov/ The National Center for PTSD has tons of information regarding PTSD for the public and professionals.  While this Center is a part of the VA, this information provided here is not explicitly for veterans.

The newest estimates say that 400,000 returning service members will suffer with PTSD but only half will seek treatment.  What will you do to help eliminate the stigma surrounding this invisible wound to help encourage those suffering in silence to seek treatment?

Even Now........Gina