PTSD and Men's Health Awareness Month

Don't Try and Handle PTSD Alone

June is PTSD Awareness Month - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that affects one in 11 adults, but can affect both adults and children, and is most common among individuals who have endured the death of a loved one, victimization, assault, or suffered a near-death experience.

We do know that for some, our "fight-or-flight" biological instincts can leave us with ongoing symptoms, even if they can be life-saving during a moment of crisis. Symptoms vary from person-to-person, but may include:

Flashbacks
Nightmares
Invasive thoughts

Guilt
Insomnia
Depression

It's important for all trauma survivors to seek counseling for PTSD, regardless of how mild or severe symptoms may be. Although PTSD cannot be cured, it can be treated and managed in several ways, including psychotherapy, medications, and self-management strategies.

PTSD Statistics 2021

9 million Americans have PTSD during a given year

5% of adolescents (under the age of 18) in the U.S. have PTSD

An estimated 25% of Military Veterans suffer from PTSD

People with PTSD are 3 to 5 times more likely to have a depressive disorder

As many as 62% of people receiving treatment show improvement

20% of people who have experienced a traumatic event will develop PTSD

PTSD Awareness Month: Educate Yourself

June is PTSD awareness month and in an effort to help as many people as possible. Screening for Mental Health, Inc. has made a self-assessment available to the public and encourages anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD

June is National Men's Health Month!

This month is all about encouraging the men in your life (including you, men out there!) to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally by eating right, exercising, and getting the right help they need to prevent diseases. If we as a whole can heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and PTSD.

When it comes to observing National Men's Health Month, there are a few things you can keep in mind to better your physical and mental health:

Tweak Your Diet

Cut back on alcohol, up your intake of fruits and vegetables, and watch what you eat a bit more - You can do anything for a month, and if you do it for a month, you can do it for life!

Set Some Goals

Use this month to take a step back and think about where you want to be - do you want to lose weight? Gain muscle? Set small, achievable goals and make them a reality!

Get Educated

This is an opportunity to read about common health issues, physical and mental, that are specific to men and how you can prevent yourself from getting hurt!

We Need To Talk About Men's Mental Health

How To Talk With Someone About Their Mental Health

If you're worried about someone's mental health, it can be difficult to know what to do and to find the right words. Waiting and hoping somebody comes to you to talk about their mental health can result in losing valuable time to get them the help they need.

Talking to someone is often the first step to take when finding out what is troubling them and what type of support they need, so you can follow this guideline when talking to someone about their mental health.

Learn From The Experts

5 Things to Never Say to Someone With a Mental Illness

When someone close to you has a mental illness, it can be hard to know what to say. No matter your intentions, sometimes the impact of your words can do more harm than good.

There are certain words or phrases that should be avoided, especially when talking to someone with or about mental illness, and some substitutes to make sure your support is well-received.

Language matters, and these small changes can make all the difference!

Never Say This

LIVE WEBINAR: Challenges in Treating Tardive Dyskinesia - June 29^th

Join us for this live virtual webinar on tardive dyskinesia (TD) diagnosis and treatment. Greg Mattingly, MD, and Manish Jha, MD, will present a can’t-miss review of the latest in TD identification and management. Early recognition of signs and symptoms potentially associated with TD can lead to both improved consideration of treatment options and better long-term patient outcomes.

Mysteries of Mental Illness - Premiers June 22^nd on PBS

Explore the story of mental illness in science and society. The four-part series traces the evolution of this complex topic from its earliest days to present times. It explores dramatic attempts across generations to unravel the mysteries of mental illness and gives voice to contemporary Americans across a spectrum of experiences.