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VA » Health Care » Women Veterans Health Care » Outreach Materials » Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Women Veterans Health Care

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD Awareness

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can occur when someone goes through, sees, or learns about a traumatic event. Such events can include: combat exposure, child sexual or physical abuse, terrorist attack, sexual/physical assault, serious accident, or natural disaster. Among Americans who experience a traumatic event, 50% are women. Of those exposed to trauma, about 20% will develop PTSD. If the trauma is combat exposure or sexual assault, the chance of developing PTSD is higher. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/understanding_ptsd/booklet.pdf.

In 2012, Congress declared June 27 as PTSD Awareness Day. VA has extended this awareness campaign to the entire month of June.

Women’s Health Services (WHS) joins VA’s national campaign to bring awareness to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a critical issue many women Veterans face. As women are the fastest growing group in the military, it is essential VA provides the highest quality of care.

• For a detailed overview of PTSD, including symptoms, treatment and resources, please visit the link below (brochure):
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/understanding_ptsd/booklet.pdf

• Listen to women Veterans in their own words:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/AboutFace/

• What stressors do women in the military face? Find out at:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/traumatic-stress-female-vets.asp

• Search the VA’s PTSD Awareness Month site:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/ptsd_awareness_month.asp

• If you are a woman Veteran, family member or caregiver, and need assistance, please call the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255

Women Veterans and Combat PTSD

Women Veterans are facing combat exposure in increasing numbers. With that can come higher rates of PTSD. VA is committed to providing support and treatment for women Veterans who suffer from combat PTSD.

• For an overview of the mental health effects of serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, visit:
http://wwww.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/overview-mental-health-effects.asp

• For more information about issues specific to women and available resources, visit:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/fslist-specific-women.asp

• If you are a woman Veteran, family member or caregiver, and need immediate assistance, please call the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, then Press 1.

Women Veterans and Military Sexual Trauma

About one in five women seen in VA report some form of military sexual trauma (MST), according to http://wwww.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/overview-mental-health-effects.asp. Those who experience MST can develop PTSD. VA is committed to providing care and support for those who have suffered Military Sexual Trauma.

• Hear women Veterans’ experience with MST, in their own words: http://maketheconnection.net/conditions/military-sexual-trauma

• For more information regarding MST and resources available to women Veterans, visit:

http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/trauma.asp

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/military-sexual-trauma-general.asp

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp

• If you are a woman Veteran, family member or caregiver, and need immediate assistance with MST or PTSD, please call the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, then Press 1.

PTSD Awareness Month Poster
Dimensions: 11x17", (2.4 MB, PDF)
Dimensions: 8x11'', (2.0 MB, PDF)