PTSD Awareness Month

For a primer on this topic, check out the post written in 2024 from my colleague, Kim, by clicking here! After learning about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its affects from Kim's post, you can learn about organizations who are allies in supporting those who experience PTSD below.

• Home Base Program Located in Charlestown, MA, the Home Base Program is a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital program dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war including PTSD for Veterans of all eras, service members, military families and families of the fallen.

  
  

• Frost Call A Massachusetts based organization serving both an in-person and online (via Discord) community, Frost Call fosters a community for veterans. Frost Call connects veterans who have a common interest in video and tabletop games with in-person gaming events and online conversation as a means to stay in touch and support military personnel who have experienced PTSD among other mental health experiences.

  
  

• RESTORE Center Part of the Boston Medical Center system in Boston, the RESTORE Center provides evidence-based mindfulness and cognitive behavioral treatments for PTSD and other programs focused on resisting oppression-based stress.

  
  

• NAMI Resource List NAMI Massachusetts created this resource list that offers leads and connections for peer-led PTSD groups, online communities and support around secondary trauma among other resources.

  
  

• PTSD Treatment Decision Aid An interactive website that a person struggling with PTSD can use alone or with a provider to learn about effective treatment options for PTSD. This website can give you the facts you need to make an informed decision about appropriate levels of care available in an interactive fashion.

Additionally, here are a few hotlines and places to go if you or a person you know is experiencing increased stress due to an experience related to PTSD:

• Compass Helpline A NAMI Massachusetts based helpline if one is experiencing stress around PTSD among other mental health experiences - available Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm at 617-704-6264 or compass@namimass.org.

  
  

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline An emergency helpline available all year round for PTSD and general mental health support.

  
  

• National Support for PTSD Provided by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, this resource is geared towards supporters of those with PTSD  to help them understand what a loved one is going through as well as provide information and resources to help family and friends take good care of themselves as they support someone with PTSD.

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Lou Lim, LMHC, REAT is a licensed mental health counselor and registered expressive arts therapist (REAT) with a master's degree in Expressive Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. He is a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and on the committee for REAT credentialing. He has 13 years of experience in counseling and expressive therapy working with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, and retirees.

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