June is PTSD Awareness Month

Each person’s experience of a traumatic event can look different — and this can include how and whether they are impacted by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veteran community, PTSD can be diagnosed after being exposed to death or potential death, acts of violence during service or vulnerability to any incident causing distress. PTSD can also affect Family life, with Veteran Families often experiencing vicarious (indirect) trauma, feelings of rejection and compassion fatigue as they support their impacted loved one.

It is crucial to remember that there is no shame in living with PTSD and that support is available. Learning more about PTSD and its symptoms can be an important tool to help navigate its impacts on your life. Here are a number of resources to help you better understand and manage PTSD:

• PTSD and some treatment options: Overview of PTSD, including causes, symptoms, how it’s diagnosed and information on therapies and treatments.
• Public safety personnel and posttraumatic stress injuries: Educational resources and videos providing coping tips and strategies for people living with PTSI, including peer support and the impacts on Families.
• MindKit: A mental health education hub for young Family members of Canadian Veterans living with a posttraumatic stress injury, including hands-on tools, comics, videos and more.
• Resources for Families and friends: Overview of the effects of PTSD on the Family, including coping strategies and resources.
• Resources for children and youth: Information and resources for children with a Family member experiencing PTSD and coping tips for children dealing with secondary trauma stress.

Related information

• Neurofeedback: A promising new treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: A fact sheet about how neurofeedback words to heal parts of the brain impacted by trauma
• Mind Beyond the Mission: Episode 10 – Posttraumatic growth — with RCMP Veteran Jason Anderson: Listen to our conversation about how traumatic experiences can sometimes spark posttraumatic growth that can foster openness, strength and compassion.
• A guide to moral injury for Veterans and Families: Understand what moral injury is, how it is different from PTSD, and next steps
• National Collaborative on PTSD and Related Mental Health Conditions: Convened by Atlas and the Canadian Institute on Public Safety Research and Treatment, the National Collaborative on PTSD aims to facilitate the sharing of knowledge about PTSD between organizations that serve the military, Veteran and PSP communities and their Families.