While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was once thought to affect only veterans, experts now recognize that anyone who has experienced a traumatic event is at risk for developing PTSD.
The effects of PTSD are far-reaching. It can disrupt daily life, manifesting in flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. Unfortunately, due to stigma and inaccessibility, only half of veterans with PTSD actually seek treatment.
To raise awareness for the approximately 13 million Americans who suffer from this disorder, the National Center for PTSD declared June to be PTSD Awareness Month.
If you want to know how to support PTSD survivors, this June presents another opportunity to get involved. Here are four ways to honor PTSD Awareness Month and support the people dealing with its symptoms.
1. Know the Signs and Symptoms
The first step to increasing PTSD awareness is being able to recognize the signs yourself. Some of the major symptoms to look out for include:
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Reliving the trauma through flashbacks
- Intrusive thoughts or images
- Avoiding people, places, or activities related to the event
- Overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness
- Depression
- Anxiety and hypervigilance
- Emotional numbness
- Difficulty with memory and concentration
- Anger, aggression, or other self-destructive behaviors
It’s important to remember that PTSD symptoms vary from person to person. In some cases, symptoms set in right away. In others, the signs of PTSD could emerge months or even years later.
2. Spread PTSD Awareness
Spreading PTSD awareness starts at home — educating yourself and the loved ones in your life about the impact of PTSD. But how do you spread awareness on a broader scale?
To start, you can visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD. Their resources are designed to help the public learn more about PTSD and its long-term effects.
To combat stigma and raise awareness for PTSD, here are a few things you can do:
- Print and hand out flyers and other resources from the National Center for PTSD
- Share the official PTSD Awareness Month calendar and other materials on social media
- Host a virtual PTSD awareness event
- Contact your local representatives and encourage them to organize PTSD awareness events
- Start a fundraiser to support those with PTSD and other mental health disorders in your community
3. Wear the PTSD Awareness Ribbon
Anyone can support PTSD survivors with a simple action: Wear the awareness ribbon on your sleeve. The teal PTSD ribbon shows others your support for those with PTSD and your desire to raise more awareness.
The ribbon is also an invitation to start conversations with those around you. When someone asks about the ribbon, you can further educate your community.
4. Commit to Cannabis Advocacy
Although there are several effective treatments for PTSD on the market today, there is increasing evidence of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for PTSD nightmares, flashbacks, and more.
Recent studies explore the effects of cannabis on trauma. One study found that cannabis can reduce activity in the amygdala — the part of your brain responsible for fear responses to threats. Another study suggests that cannabis could play a role in minimizing traumatic memories.
For PTSD Awareness Month, advocates are exploring the potential role of cannabis in PTSD treatment. Cannabis brands like Far & Dotter take a wellness-first approach to their products and offerings, amplifying conversations around mental health and providing support and resources for those affected.
Beyond Stigma: Cannabis for PTSD Symptoms
The most powerful thing anyone can do to help increase PTSD awareness is to fight the stigma. Show your loved ones — and beyond — that they don’t have to suffer in silence. The support you need to live a better life is out there.
Treatment options like medication and therapy are available for anyone with PTSD. However, evidence suggests that cannabis could support a traditional treatment regimen to help with symptom management. Explore the power of cannabis as a tool for wellness, or take a look at our wellness-based cannabis products to try some for yourself.
