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June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and while many of us are familiar with PTSD as it relates to combat veterans, it can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. According to the National Center for PTSD, six percent of the population experience this disorder, and women are more likely to develop PTSD. NIMH has developed a fact sheet about PTSD, with information about co-occurring disorders, risk factors, symptoms, and more.
June is also Men's Health Month. Men are less likely than women to seek help with their mental health or substance use, and men are almost four times as likely as women to die by suicide, with white males accounting for almost 70% of suicide deaths. It is important that we continue to address the stigma and societal norms that prevent men from seeking help when they need it.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is also held in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. Here in Anne Arundel County, there are a variety of activities
planned all month through the Anne Arundel County Public Library ,
and the third annual parade and festival in Annapolis on June 3rd.
Annapolis will also be hosting the third annual Juneteenth celebration, featuring a gala on Friday, June 16th and a parade and festival on Saturday,
June 17th. Juneteenth is considered by many to be our country's
second Independence Day, as it commemorates the day that more
than 250,000 enslaved black people found out they had been freed,
over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect.
With so many outdoor activities in the county this month, it is beginning to
feel like summer has truly arrived. Be sure to check out the Anne Arundel
County Recreation and Parks 2023 Spring/Summer Guide, featuring
programs, events, and activities to find more ways to enjoy the season.
If you are in crisis and need help, our Warmline is open 24/7 at 410-768-5522.
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