July 10, 2019
How to Support a Veteran with PTSD: The 3 Practical Steps You Need to Know
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that we should NOT take lightly. As such, knowing how to support a veteran with PTSD is extremely important.
Do you have a loved one or a friend who, after serving the country honorably, came home struggling with wounds that aren’t visible to the naked eye? In most cases, the first ones to notice when something is wrong with those who have left the service are the people closest to them.
If you have a former serviceman or woman close to you who shows signs of PTSD, you have a critical role to play in that veteran’s life, especially during their most difficult moments. Be reassured that it’s not yet the end of the world for that individual. Their condition can be treated and you can help them get back on their feet.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health affliction triggered by a terrifyingly traumatic event that was experienced or witnessed by the affected person. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, insomnia, severe anxiety, social isolation, and uncontrollable thoughts about a traumatic event. These symptoms worsen in time and may even interfere with the victim’s daily activities. Prompt and effective treatment is necessary to reduce these symptoms and improve the affected individual’s well-being.
3 Steps to Show Your Support to Someone with PTSD
If you have a loved one with PTSD, know that many others are in the same situation you’re facing today. Many veterans out there have overcome their problems because of family and friends who stood by them through every ordeal they endured. You can also provide vital support to a PTSD sufferer. To help you do this, we at Veteran Car Donations have come up with these 3 practical steps on how to support a veteran with PTSD.
- Know the options for treatment.
Understand that there are two types of treatment that can effectively address PTSD. These are counseling and medication. Learn all you can with what’s available so that you can discuss the treatment options for the afflicted veteran in your life.
- Encourage your loved one to connect with other vets who have the same experience.
You can find Peer Specialists near you who can facilitate counseling for family members or therapy sessions in groups. In case you’re not aware, a Peer Specialist is someone who also has a mental health condition but has received training and certification to help other veterans overcome their mental health issues.
- Find a trained professional.
As soon as your loved one feels that they’re ready for the next step, look for a trained professional who can give them the much-needed treatment as soon as possible.
A Great Way to Help Other Veterans with PTSD
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Veteran Car Donations is an online donation platform for various IRS-certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Once you donate any type of vehicle to us, we will sell it at auction and use the proceeds to support the programs and services of these nonprofits that cater to our nation’s heroes. With your help, we can continue providing needy veterans with:
- Free and accessible mental healthcare
- Grief counseling
- General transitioning assistance
- Mentoring and job training
- Mortgage-free and specially adapted homes
- Tutoring support and education scholarships
You will also benefit from your charitable contribution since this can help you slash your tax bill by way of the 100% tax-deductible sales receipt that you’ll get from us after we sell your vehicle at auction.
If you want to know more about our car donation program, check out our FAQs page. For inquiries, you can call our toll-free 24/7 hotline 877-594-5822 or send us a message online.
You can donate to Veteran Car Donations by either calling us or filling out our secure online donation form. We accept donations of nearly all types of vehicles wherever you are in the United States since we have car donation programs in all 50 states.
Do You Want to Provide Our Vets with More Meaningful Aid?
Knowing how to support a veteran with PTSD is a huge advantage in helping make a difference in the lives of our suffering veterans—those brave men and women who risked their lives so that we can continue enjoying life in a secure and free country. If you want to provide them with more meaningful assistance, call us at 877-594-5822 and transform their lives with your car donation.
Last Updated: May 8th, 2023