NASW Observes Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Month

May 25, 2022

Helping hikersJune 2022

NASW recognizes June as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. PTSD impacts millions of people in the United States. “According to the National Center for PTSD, a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about seven or eight of every 100 people will experience PTSD in their lifetime.”1  Although PTSD has commonly been associated with the military and veteran populations, it affects people of all ages, communities, gender, and social economic background. Social workers are the largest group of mental health providers in the United States and treatment of PTSD is one of their specialty areas.

To raise awareness of PTSD, NASW shares with its members the following Webinars and other resources:

Upcoming Webinars   

June 3, 2022
Time Moves Different in Here: Clinical Implications for Working with Populations of Color, Complex Trauma and Dissociation in the Age of COVID 19
This training can be accessed through the NASW CE Institute. Participants will gain deeper understanding of the impact of neurobiology on symptomology presentation for individuals with complex PTSD. Learn a combination of diagnosis and interventionist tools of dissociation to consider when engaged in treatment of populations of color. Identify future areas of work/growth, boundaries as practitioners as the continued need for mental health treatment remains an essential service during the COVID 19 pandemic in the U.S.

June 7, 2022
Racial Trauma and Minority Stress: The Culturally Competent Clinician’s Guide to Assessment and Treatment
In this PESI one-day event, Dr. Gibson will give clinicians tools and guidance to better align with their clients’ race-based experiences, strengthen the therapeutic alliance and more capably treat clients with trauma rooted in racism.

June 18, 2022
Understanding Intergenerational Trauma Legacies
Zur Institute teaches clinicians how to appropriately inquire about and recognize intergenerational transmission of trauma, understand the mechanisms of transmission, and comprehend treatment principles.

June 21, 2022
Treating PTSD and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure
The Center for Deployment Psychology will be hosting a 90-minute webinar entitled “Treating PTSD and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure.” Additional information, including an expanded event description, learning objectives and CE details, will be added as the event date nears. This event is open to the public and intended for behavioral health/healthcare providers who treat military personnel, veterans, and their families.

Additional Resources

A Broad Look at Emotional Trauma
This pocket guide is intended as a tool for mental health providers as they offer services to individuals, communities, and agencies working with people who have experienced traumatic events. Some of the concepts described, such as resilience, retraumatization, ethno-racial trauma, and the study of Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma-informed services, are basic elements to take into consideration when offering trauma-focused services.

Addressing Diversity in PTSD Treatment: Clinical Considerations and Guidance for the Treatment of PTSD in LGBTQ Populations
Published in March of 2020, this review highlights existing evidence-based practices, current limitations, and provide recommendations for care in the absence of established guidelines for treatment PTSD among LGBTQ patients.

Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters
People can experience a wide range of emotions before and after a disaster or traumatic event. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. However, it’s important to find healthy ways to cope when these events happen. This publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration provides valuable tools to help people during these challenging times.

Dynamics of Abuse
This blog from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence discusses the dynamics of abuse and helpful resources.

Expert Q&A: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This resource from the American Psychiatric Association provides expert responses to common questions pertaining to PTSD.  

Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events: What Parents, Rescue Workers, and the Community Can Do
This brochure, from the National Institute of Mental Health, describes common reactions to trauma and what parents, rescue workers, and the community can do to help children and adolescents cope with disasters and other traumatic events.

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)
ISTSS provides a forum for the sharing of research, clinical strategies, public policy concerns and theoretical formulations on trauma around the world. We are the premier society for the exchange of professional knowledge and expertise in the field. Members of ISTSS include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, researchers, administrators, advocates, journalists, clergy, and others with an interest in the study and treatment of traumatic stress.

Mighty Oaks Foundation 
Mighty Oaks provides peer-to-peer resiliency and recovery programs that serve as the catalyst to assist our Nation’s Warriors dealing with challenges related to the struggles of daily military life, combat deployments and the symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS) offered at no cost to our Nation’s Warriors, including travel at beautiful ranches across the US.

Military One Source
Contracted mental health counselors will confidentially speak with soldiers and their spouses about their concerns and offer targeted information that can help deal with difficult situations. Individuals can receive immediate 24/7 person-to-person information by calling 1-800-342-9647.

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The United States Department of Veteran Affairs has specific information about PTSD, including assessments, information sheets for families and where to get assistance. The site offers free expert consultation, education, and resources to Veteran Affairs providers and civilian (community-based) health care professionals treating Veterans.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) 
This unique network of frontline providers, family members, researchers, and national partners is committed to changing the course of children’s lives by improving their care and moving scientific gains quickly into practice across the U.S. The NCTSN has trained more than two million professionals in trauma-informed interventions. Hundreds of thousands more are benefiting from the other community services, website resources, webinars, educational products, community programs, and more.

National Institute of Mental Health Funded Researcher Dr. Barbara Rothbaum Discusses Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This video provides information on the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and the latest research on PTSD.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The National Institute of Mental Health provides information and resources to those who are struggling emotionally or have concerns about their mental health to include those with PTSD.

PTSD Coach
PTSD Coach is designed for those who have, or may have, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This resource was created by Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD and Department of Defense’s National Center for Telehealth & Technology. The app provides individuals with education about PTSD, information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD. Tools range from relaxation skills and positive self-talk to anger management and other common self-help strategies.  An online version of the app is available in English and Spanish.

Veterans Families United
Veterans Families United is a not-for-profit organization that offers a comprehensive website and resource bank for identifying and helping veterans and families who may need assistance in understanding and coping with war-related illness. Financial resources are not available, but information on how to access benefits and assistance is easily found on the website.

 

Prepared by
Denise Johnson, LCSW-C
Senior Practice Associate, Clinical Social work

1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Post-traumatic stress disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

 

 

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