June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day

Jun 26, 2024

CMHA Ottawa and organizations worldwide recognize June 27 as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events like natural disasters, accidents, war, or assaults. Symptoms include unwanted thoughts or dreams, physical responses, strong negative emotions, and loss of interest in activities. A person with PTSD could experience the event themselves or witness it happening to others.

If you’re struggling, please reach out for support.

At CMHA Ottawa, we provide community-based programs and services for eligible individuals in the Ottawa area who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, including those living with PTSD. Counselling services at CMHA Ottawa include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) delivered to clients as part of our Concurrent Disorders treatment program, and through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program, managed by The Royal.

While anyone can be affected by PTSD, first responders (health care workers, police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and corrections staff) are at higher risk due to workplace stress. Women, refugees, and Indigenous people are also statistically at higher risk.

To support first responders, particularly firefighters, CMHA Ontario offers the Resilient MindsTM program. This peer-to-peer, skill-building initiative is designed by and for career and volunteer firefighters. It helps develop strategies to manage occupational stress and build resilience. You can learn more at resilientmindsontario.ca.

Firefighters interested in registering for the Resilient Minds or Train-the-Trainer courses can check out July dates at Resilient Minds (ontario.cmha.ca). Spots are limited.

Additionally, an infosheet on understanding trauma can be found at the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health.