6/13/2024

June is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month!

As you know, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can impact any person of any age after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. A traumatic event may include military combat, sexual or physical violence, natural disasters, or severe accidents (SAMHSA).

One of the leading causes of PTSD in adults is having a high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score of 4 or more. ACEs are traumatic events that occur in childhood between ages 0-17, such as witnessing violence in the home or community, having a parent who has a substance use disorder or mental health disorder, or experiencing some form of abuse or neglect.

ACEs are common. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about 64% of U.S. adults reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18, and 1 in 6 reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs. Adverse Childhood Experiences can be linked to chronic health problems, higher rates of suicide, mental illness, and substance use problems in adolescence and adulthood.

By screening your patients for PTSD and ACEs, providers can help assess risk and guide effective responses. These resources can assist when screening your patients:

Through raising awareness of ACEs, we can help:

  • Change how people think about the causes of ACEs and who could help prevent them.
  • Shift the focus from individual responsibility to community solutions.
  • Reduce stigma around seeking help with parenting challenges, substance use, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

The following resources include more information on treatment for those living with PTSD and ways you can support PTSD Awareness month:

 

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