Throughout the year there are various health observances including National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month during June. 

Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says one common thing people think is that PTSD is associated with a large event such as going to war or witnessing something such as murder but it can include other things that can be traumatic to someone that you may not think is serious. 

“It could be something that another person might say, ‘Well that’s no big deal,’ but I think one of the things that we all need to realize in our society again is that phrase about mental health which is, ‘Make it okay. Make it okay for someone to admit that they are struggling, that they are having flashbacks, that they are having anxiety that is triggered by a certain event, a certain memory.” 

Cochran tells Raccoon Valley Radio those who may have PTSD should be encouraged to seek treatment because it is treatable through therapy or medication. 

“If you are suffering from that you should talk to your doctor, get a hold of a mental health therapist and see if you can work through that and become whole again.”

For more information on community resources in Dallas County you can go here.