The more you know about PTSD, the more you understand we are all only human, and that is the way we destroy the stigma before it destroys hope in all of us.
PTSD strikes 15 million Americans adults every year, yet the only cases of PTSD reporters are interested in covering are related to military service. OK, sure, they are important but as the evidence shows, they do not even get what they need to heal. Where does that leave the rest of us if reporters are not even mentioning us?
We read a lot about how veterans are being helped by service dogs for their PTSD. The truth is, they help a lot of others too.
“Firefighters looking to therapy dogs to help deal with on-the-job trauma”
“Agencies across the U.S. are looking for a solution to the mental health crisis. Police and firefighters are now more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. About 30% of emergency responders will develop behavioral health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”
Denver 7 News
As there are more and more “support groups” popping up for veterans, we need to face the fact that others have PTSD too and need help to get the word out about what humans go through after trauma. As you just read about firefighters and police officers, needing help, the rest of the people are in need but too few help only because the rest of us don’t get hyped by the media.
Service dogs have been helping people in nursing homes and hospitals, including children’s hospitals. They help with emotional support in courts across the country. You probably didn’t hear that before. Nothing new considering even as more and more humans with PTSD are trying to #BreakTheSilence and take back power over our lives, no one hears us. The longer this goes on, the less likely veterans and first responders will begin to see themselves as humans first and heroes to the rest of us afterwards.
They will not see that as so many of us end up batteling as survivors from one or more events, they go through a lot more on their jobs. Wouldn’t it make sense and be more beneficial to them to know that?
Remember, it’s your life…get in and drive!
