PTSD Awareness Day: How Benilde Hall Provides Support for Veterans with PTSD
By Hattie Friesen
Imagine reliving your greatest trauma over and over again for the rest of your life. Imagine experiencing daily terrifying flashbacks, overwhelming negative thoughts, no bed to sleep in and no roof over your head. The thought of recovery, of leading a meaningful life, is hopeless.
An estimated 12 million people in the U.S. live with PTSD. The majority of these people will never receive the treatment and care they need due to lack of support and resources. June 27th is PTSD awareness day, and we’re taking this opportunity to shed some light on how our work supports those diagnosed with PTSD, and how you can offer your support and give hope to those experiencing the condition
PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition that can be developed by people of any age who have experienced or witnessed a life threatening event. PTSD is particularly common among those who have experienced combat, especially if a traumatic event was prolonged or resulted in injury. 7 out of every 100 Veterans are likely to experience PTSD at some point in their lives (National Center for PTSD). Many of these individuals lack the support and resources to overcome the symptoms of PTSD, symptoms which often lead to substance abuse and self-harm.
But there are ways we can help these individuals find hope! Benilde Hall is committed to bringing our Veterans with PTSD into a safe environment, providing them a place where they can rest comfortably and receive treatment. In addition to offering counseling, therapy, and mental health services, Benilde Hall connects these Veterans with permanent housing and incomes to help reintegrate them into society. Benilde Hall is a judgment-free, encouraging, and constructive environment that allows our Veterans with PTSD to begin new chapters of their lives. But ultimately, it is their own dedication, patience, and resilience that allows them to recover.
In April, Benilde Hall added 8 new rooms with private bathrooms in an expansion meant to allow privacy and peace to Veterans with severe PTSD, giving them space to feel safe and comfortable as they work to heal, secure permanent housing, and obtain income. This expansion was made possible through the generosity of our supporters such as the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Sunderland Foundation, Reed Auto Group, Veterans United Foundation, and Stay Zero LE MC - Kansas City. Thank you for making an impact and for believing in our mission!
You can make a difference, too. Donate today and help us leave a legacy through the Veterans we guide on their journey to recovery. Every contribution goes towards ensuring our residents have somewhere to live, sleep, eat, and find healing as they work with our counselors to overcome challenges such as PTSD and substance abuse disorder. Click here for a quick and easy link to make a one time or monthly recurring donation.
Visit our Volunteer page to learn more about how you can get involved.
You can also visit The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs National Center for PTSD for more information on the symptoms of PTSD, statistics, and more ways you can help spread awareness.
