This day is about raising awareness of posttraumattic stress disorder (PTSD).
Because the more we know about PTSD and how to treat it, the more those affected, and their loved ones will know they aren’t alone, and help is available.
Trauma can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. Any one of us can be affected and the psychological impacts can be deep and complex.
They can affect any of us physically and emotionally, and the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. The problems that arise after trauma can be complex and impair our wellbeing.
And while not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, around 7% of Australians will suffer from PTSD at any given point.
That means that at any one time over 1.5 million Australians have PTSD.
Australian lives have and will be devastated by traumatic events. Three in four Australians will experience an event that can cause psychological trauma in their lifetime, that’s nearly 19 million people living in Australia today. Psychological trauma comes in many forms and impacts people from all walks of life.
The problems that arise can be complex and impair our physical and emotional wellbeing. The way we see ourselves, our relationships and activities, and our ability to feel safe in the world can be turned upside down.
People need help moving beyond harrowing events. Help and support takes many forms, but recovery and renewal is always possible.
© First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN) 2024
