USO’s Post

Shell shock. Invisible battle scars. Hidden wounds of war. There have been many attempts to define the mental health challenges that service members struggle with in the wake of their service. But regardless of how you describe it, service members with PTSD and other mental health concerns deserve and need support as they navigate their recovery. PTSD can affect all aspects of a person’s life. Those who struggle with it often experience distressing flashbacks to the traumatic moments of their service, hyper-vigilance and insomnia, as well as feelings of sadness, anger, depression, anxiety or even estrangement from their loved ones. PTSD doesn’t just affect service members but their military family members as well. And while mental health is a complicated issue that is not easily solved, the USO is committed to supporting and uplifting service members and military families through every step of their service – through our USO Centers, through our programs and even through our canine volunteers. Read how a veteran and his service dogs are supporting wounded, ill and injured service members alongside #theUSO. #PTSDAwareness https://lnkd.in/g-pJizWc

PTSD can affect anyone who has a very traumatic experience. First response personnel such as fire, ambulance, police, and security guards are much more prone to it as they often are first to find suicidal people, injured people and animals as well as dead bodies. You may never know the pain and anguish they suffer from as often it is repressed or withheld to spare others the same pain. To all those who are struggling with PTSD know that you are not alone. Take the painful step towards recovering and seek help. Love yourself enough to get better. One small step at a time.

On National PTSD Awareness Day, we come together to recognise and support those who have faced unimaginable challenges. PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, affects millions of people around the world, from first responders and veterans to survivors of trauma. It's a condition that can deeply impact daily life, but with understanding, compassion, and proper support, healing is possible. We know that 10% of first responders will suffer a mental health injury during their careers. Let's take a moment to: 🔹 Educate Ourselves: Learn about PTSD and its effects to better understand what our loved ones and their loved ones might be going through. 🔹 Show Support: Reach out to someone you know who might be struggling. A simple act of kindness can make a huge difference. 🔹 Advocate for Mental Health: Encourage open conversations about mental health to reduce stigma and promote healing. If you or someone you know needs help, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. Together, we can make a difference. You’re never alone. 💙 Read more about our Co-Founder Mark Thomas’ personal journey here: https://lnkd.in/gg7228Fb #code9PTSD #PTSDAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #SupportAndHeal

Appreciation to Allanah Sciberras from 9 News for the story on PTSD awareness day today. Like all of us who tell our stories, we can yell from the rooftops, but to be given a platform to tell our stories and give some awareness is really appreciated as it reaches a much larger audience. Like all mental health conditions, it would be awesome if you just had a working knowledge of the signs and symptoms of PTSD, and unlike me, you might recognise them when they start and get to a psych before they take hold of you. And remember, your mental health conditions do not define who you are. You are not your injury. #BeWell #ptsd #depression #anxiety #ptsdawarenessday https://lnkd.in/guKbBz23

June is PTSD Awareness Month PTSD can impact on many aspects of a veteran's life, including their employment and financial stability both for them and their partner. This can affect the family's sense of security, their relationships and the wellbeing of all involved. One of the many positive outcomes of receiving a DCD Assistance Dog, has often been the partner's ability to return to work. Partners often have to give up working in order to care for their veteran with PTSD. Partners of veterans who have received a DCD dog have told us of their increased confidence and comfort, knowing that the veteran can rely on their DCD Assistance dog 24/7. The dog's support gives their veteran a renewed ability to reconnect with family, friends and their community. Partners have said have a DCD dog has been an invaluable part of their veteran's rehabilitation. If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with PTSD and would benefit from the support of a DCD Assistance Dog, please visit www.dcdogs.com.au 🐾❤️🐶 Defence Community Dogs can provide support for mood, depressive and anxiety disorders, including PTSD. The dogs are highly trained to respond with stress interruptors, and can help provide physical and emotional support to their Veterans. To find out how to apply for a DCD Assistance Dog, visit www.dcdogs.com.au/apply. Improving the lives of Veterans. One paw at a time 🐾

PTSD is a mental health condition that is not well understood, neither its causes nor its symptoms. Help by raising your voice to advocate for mental health services for yourself, your friends, or loved ones who are military personnel or veterans. For those who are struggling with PTSD, there are a variety of mental health services and whole health / wellness resources, whether VA or nonprofit / non-VA supports. Healing is possible

Repost 1 of 25 / 5 June June is PTSD Awareness month. Suicide among our active & retired vets has drastically increased in recent years. Surely DoD, Big "Military", Captains of Industry and other folks can overtly focus on the mental health of our struggling Brothers and Sisters as well? Surely they can codify and qualify to our vets their accomplishments and contributions to society writ large so that they are aware that they too are omnipresent? Surely the Star Chamber can drive home the oft needed confirmation that the physical and mental sacrifices of our vets were not in vain? Surely these Titans can publicly acknowledge that many, many, many of our vets -- though damaged physically and mentally beyond normal comprehension -- would willingly do it all again to help keep this great country free because thats what a quite professional and member in Good Standing of the Profession of Arms does... Surely they could post about PTSD as well and how taking care of our affected veterans should be our country's NUMBER ONE mental health priority. If they tried really, really, really hard, I bet they could do so in between bending over backwards to pander-post to other groups of folks for those oh-so-important virtue signalling points. How about these Teapot Domers adopt a simple "posting ratio" where for every three bombastic, simplistic, verbose and cloying narratives and gaudy graphics they release singing the praises of the latest incarnation of the Rainbow Six Bunch, they force themselves to release something about how PTSD kills veterans? Surely they can do 75/25? Surely they can do that. Tell the Graphic Arts Project Officers / GS15 Step 233s that you'll give them another MSM and / or a bonus / closer to the door parking space at the end of the month. That should motivate them to mentally shift gears for at least 30 minutes. Surely folks can do that? They mostly post at night. Mostly...

Mental health matters, now more than ever. As a mother, I’ve seen first hand the trauma that can come from witnessing a suicide. My son, an Army veteran, witnessed such a tragedy that had a profound impact on our family. My 2nd adult child, a high-achieving student, suffered from PTSD as a result and was hospitalized over 100 times. It’s unfortunate that the Army did not automatically qualify my son for full services benefits with his honorable discharge/ dd214 and that the process to get him the support he needs has been so difficult and time-consuming. It’s clear that people of color are marginalized in the process, and we need easy best practices policies in place to expedite events like this. Thankfully, my son is now getting the assistance he needs, but obtaining health equity with minorities and people of color should be a priority. More effective efforts should be put in place to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to assist veterans dealing with the challenges of trauma and PTSD. Last year alone, according to the CDC, 95,000 people in the United States committed suicide. It's clear that senior leadership needs to escalate and create a task force and a committee with a more streamlined process and workflow to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to assist veterans dealing with the challenges of trauma and PTSD. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please call 911. If you or someone you know are in crisis or has suicidal thoughts, please call 988. No one should suffer in silence and free help is available. https://lnkd.in/gECN8_tm #Nooneshouldsufferfromtraumaandptsd

Today is National PTSD Awareness Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on millions of individuals worldwide. As a veteran and prior 911 dispatcher, this issue is particularly important to me. Many veterans, first responders, and active-duty service members face PTSD due to the traumatic experiences they've endured on the job. PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, and it’s crucial that we raise awareness and provide support to those who need it. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, remember that help is available. Reach out to mental health professionals, support groups, or trusted friends and family members. Together, we can break the stigma and foster a community of understanding and healing. Let’s take this opportunity to educate ourselves, show compassion, and advocate for better mental health resources. Your support can make a difference. #PTSDAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #SupportAndHeal #BreakTheStigma #Veterans #FirstResponders

#September is National Suicide Prevention Month and a good time to remember to check in with a battle buddy, friend or family member. Learn more at link below from numerous resources. Quick numbers for help: Call 988 if you need to speak to a trained crisis counselor who can help with mental health-related distress. You can also text 988 or chat online with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call if you are concerned about someone else. If you are a #Veteran, or are concerned about one, call 988, then press "1" to speak with a responder qualified to support Veterans. You can also text 838255 or chat online with the Veterans Crisis Line. https://lnkd.in/efVPDsv3). #veteranshelpingveterans #veteransupport #veteransuicideawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #ptsdsupport #staysafe #healthandwellness #bekind #ptsdawareness #gethelp