As June is PTSD Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to call attention to PTSD and how it affects all New Mexicans, including the LGBTQ+ community. We all can advocate for those who are dealing with major trauma and help them receive the proper support, including contacting the #988 Lifeline.

Most adults have experienced a type of traumatic event at some point in their lives. It’s typical for anyone to have an intense emotional response to experiencing traumas and take their time to recover. Some people develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD. This is a serious mental health condition that can occur after you have been through an extremely distressing and traumatic event. According to the National Center for PTSD, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be victimized during their lifetimes, including sexual and violent physical assault. As a result, LGBTQ+ people are at a much higher risk of developing PTSD.

Recognizing the Signs of PTSD

PTSD is characterized by feelings of intense fear and helplessness during an extremely traumatic event, usually one that threatened or caused a physical injury or death. It can also be caused by witnessing such an event happening to someone else, or by knowing about an event that happened to someone you know.

People suffering from this syndrome can have symptoms of re-experiencing the traumatic event, combined with being constantly on high alert for a minimum of one month after the event took place. PTSD causes significant emotional distress and symptoms can cause people to suffer disruption in their daily lives. In some cases, flashbacks are common, as well as cycles of depression.

Other common stressors like going through a divorce or losing one’s job have also been linked to PTSD symptoms. Some common PTSD symptoms include:

• Experiencing recurring memories or reliving the event while sleeping, having nightmares;
• Avoiding certain situations, or misusing substances to numb the pain;
• Feeling overwhelming guilt, a lack of trust, or feeling disconnected or sad; or
• Dealing with sudden changes in one’s physical and emotional reactions, including rushes of anger or irritability, feeling jittery, or easily set off by loud noises or events.

There is hope. PTSD is treatable, and many people find relief for their symptoms through therapy that can help reframe traumatic events. Medication can be another helpful option, but it is important to consult with your doctor or mental healthcare provider before seeking it out.

Through the New Mexico Human Services Department, Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD), many resources are available for those seeking treatment for PTSD. Their Treatment Connection website connects New Mexicans directly to providers who are specially trained and certified to carry out treatments and therapies to help people with PTSD. The statewide network of providers that BHSD supports offers comprehensive mental healthcare services that are sensitive to issues faced by the diverse populations of our state, including the LGBTQ+ community. You can search for a provider at www.treatmentconnection.com.

And finally, don’t forget about the 988 Lifeline, a vital resource for those struggling with PTSD symptoms or those seeking emotional support 24/7. Press 3 when calling #988 to be connected with specialized LGBTQ+ support.

Together, we can end the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and advocate for our friends, family members and loved ones who need support. Take the Dose of Wellness pledge with us to be aware, be kind, be helpful and to be proactive for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone experiencing PTSD symptoms in our state.