Responding to PTSD – Your community and PTSD

This past week I was the opening speaker for a PTSD event in my own backyard of Kokomo, Indiana at Indiana University Kokomo. It was called “Responding to PTSD – It takes a Village” and was put on by the North Central Indiana Area Health Education Center or AHEC. They did a marvelous job organizing a fantastic event that I was proud to be a part of.

Why are events like this so important? Because community is the key to combatting PTSD. Our world has never been more divided and broken. We don’t go back home to our small towns, our parents get divorced, our friends move across country, we don’t go to church or join clubs, we don’t have really close friends. This creates enormous cracks in our social fabric that are easy for people to fall through and get lost.

This was the first event of its kind in our area and the organizers were worried about attendance. They needn’t have. We exceeded expectations, people are hungry to help each other. Whether it is veterans, or our neighbors who have been broken by sexual abuse, trauma, or any of the many things that can break us, we need to go beyond pointing fingers at the VA and our mental health system. It is time to look out for each other, like a family, like a community.

Healing of issues like PTSD begins with trust and the ability to ask for help. This often requires the assistance of someone close to us. That is the best part of events like this. We not only equip people to better respond to PTSD and look out for each other, but they help build relationships and cooperation right at home. Right where it is needed.

If your community considers itself patriotic and compassionate, ask yourself, what have you done to build bridges with those who are broken right in your own backyard? You need to be doing events like this. Find a couple financial sponsor organizations, track down a good venue, and do it. And do it right. Drop me a line, I’d love to help you make it happen.

We can defeat the darkness of PTSD. It begins with us, in our communities. Responding to PTSD is an action, it is not passive. It is time to act.

I’ll share a message I received after the event. It was one of many. This is why you need to be acting in your community. There is someone suffering right now.

“Just a quick note to let you know how much I valued your presentation at this morning’s seminar in Kokomo.  I happened to have been sitting next to a friend and colleague of mine who was moved to tears by your presentation as he is suffering from PTSD himself.  I wanted you to know that because of your message this morning, he will be seeking to get help after all of this time.”

Yes, it is time to act. What are you waiting for?