PTSD Awareness Day 2023

There are a variety of ways to help support this significant day, and we’ve got lots of things planned for Tuesday to help you raise your voice, but first, we thought we’d remind everyone why a day like this is important.

Of course, for someone affected by PTSD or C-PTSD, EVERY DAY is significant in terms of how their lives are impacted, but for some people, they’re simply not getting the help they want, need or deserve – and we want to help change that! 

Simply put, having a specific day that is recognised around the world brings our voice together. It gets people talking where they maybe otherwise wouldn’t. It helps reach more people with the message that Tomorrow CAN be a New Day.

PTSD Awareness Day was originally started in the USA. It was initially created to ‘educate people about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and encourage people to talk openly about it. It focuses on spreading the word that it is treatable and that those who struggle with it can have hope for a better life. The day brings to light the silent struggle of millions of people and teaches the public that it is a real mental condition that can be treated. This movement can help encourage people with PTSD or C-PTSD to ask for help without shame’  – and so we hope you’ll join us. If everyone does a little thing, the impact can be HUGE.

Research shows that 10% of people will experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at some point in their lifetime – but it’s estimated that up to 70% of people with PTSD & C-PTSD in the UK do not receive any professional help at all:

• Some people may realise they are struggling to cope after trauma, but are unaware they have PTSD or C-PTSD. They may feel that their symptoms are just part of their life now – even if they’re debilitating and affecting every part of their life.
• For others who have a diagnosis, they may not know that treatments to help them recover are available. Just over a decade ago, people still thought that PTSD and C-PTSD were incurable conditions, but more recent evidence and research proves it is possible to be successfully treated many years after the trauma occurred – but the treatment options for PTSD & C-PTSD are not as well-known as they need to be.
• Additionally, people with PTSD & C-PTSD are often misdiagnosed as they can develop additional disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other problems of physical and mental health. These ‘co-morbid’ conditions are what gets diagnosed, and the PTSD & C-PTSD is left to get worse in many cases.
• For many people however, they’re simply unable to articulate how they feel, or feel able to reach out for help.

Our charity aims to raise awareness of PTSD & C-PTSD in three main areas – it’s causes, symptoms and the treatments available. PTSD UK is the only charity in the UK dedicated to raising awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – no matter the trauma that caused it, so if you’re able to help support us and International PTSD Awareness Day, you’ll be able to make a big impact on the lives of those affected. 

How can I get involved?

International PTSD Awareness Day is a day that can unite people, communities and entire countries to raise awareness and take action and we’re so glad you want to get involved. Thank you. Many of our wonderful PTSD UK supporters already have things planned to mark the day, but if you’d like some inspiration, or are looking to do even more to help, then we’ve pulled together a few ideas!

Quick and simple

• Learn more about PTSD and C-PTSD by reading our website
• Follow us on Facebook or Instagram
• Share our social media posts
• Make a one-off donation
• Do your shopping through a platform like EasyFundraising or GiveAsYouLive to raise free donations for PTSD UK
• Make a purchase from our Supporters Store and wear your item with pride!
• Drop us an email to say your business or organisation that works with high-risk communities will create a place to have PTSD UK leaflets available for your customers/clients.
• Sign up to our email newsletter

Takes a little more time or effort

• Pledge to donate a proportion of your salary to PTSD UK for the next year
• Set up a Facebook Fundraiser and encourage your friends and family to donate
• Sign up to take part in an event such as our Press Up Challenge, 5km run or our Wagathon
• Sign up to our PTSD UK Every Day for a Month Challenge 
• Set up a regular direct debit donation each month
• Share your inspirational story with us
• Talk about PTSD Awareness Day on your social media, blogs, TikToks or websites.
• Write an email to ask your employer to make a significant donation
• Sign up to volunteer with us
• Talk to your friends or family who are struggling

Full on superstar dedication

• Organise a fundraising event like a Golf Tournament, Bake Sale or Dinner Dance
• Sign up to take part in an event such as the London to Brighton Cycle, a marathon or Ultra event
• Sign up to volunteer with us