PTSD Awareness Day fuels wave of support for veterans

Plus, commenters discussed how banning trans athletes from sports teams could harm mental health.

In late June, social media users acknowledged PTSD Awareness Day, with many commenters highlighting the impact on veterans. Meanwhile, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling fueled concern about transgender mental health, and the Justice Department’s new legal opinion on the Americans with Disabilities Act raised alarm about forced institutionalization in psychiatric hospitals.

In light of these conversations, communicators may share mental health resources for veterans and others with PTSD, trans individuals, and people with disabilities.

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about mental health

PTSD Awareness Day on June 27 drove widespread conversation about the mental health condition. One Facebook post highlighting PTSD among veterans received approximately 5.3 million views, 120,500 reactions, 55,600 shares, and 3,900 comments as of July 6. Commenters shared encouragement for people with PTSD, particularly veterans, and urged those who are struggling to seek both professional and social support.

On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Idaho and West Virginia can enforce laws barring trans women and girls from women’s and girls’ sports teams. The decision made waves on social media, with some posts receiving millions of views. While some commenters supported the ruling, others were concerned that excluding trans women and girls from sports teams that align with their gender could prompt or worsen mental health symptoms in a population at higher risk for suicidal ideation and self-harm.

On June 18, the Justice Department issued a new legal opinion saying the ADA does not require states to provide in-home or community-based services for people with disabilities. The opinion sparked outrage online, with commenters worrying it could make it harder to access home health care and adult day programs. Some also expressed concern that this interpretation of the ADA could force more people into psychiatric hospitals and other institutional settings, arguing that independent living—when possible—supports mental health among people with disabilities.

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Recommendations for public health professionals

The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.

While PTSD Awareness Day has passed, the uptick in online conversation shows a need for resources and messaging about the symptoms of PTSD and treatment options. Messaging may highlight mental health resources tailored to veterans, who are at increased risk of PTSD, including local vet centers that offer counseling and support groups; the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides counseling and other resources for veterans; therapist directories where people can search for providers who treat PTSD or have experience working with veterans; and the Veterans Crisis Line, which can be reached by calling 988 and pressing 1. As most conversation focused on PTSD among veterans, communicators also have an opportunity to explain that anyone can get PTSD, including those who have experienced or witnessed accidents, disasters, abuse, and other traumatic events.

Court rulings impacting trans individuals often prompt online discussion and concern about trans mental health. Communicators may want to recirculate mental health resources geared toward trans people, such as therapist directories where people can search for trans-informed therapists, the Trans Lifeline, the Trevor Project’s hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, and the LGBT National Help Center.

Conversations about disability and mental health provide an opportunity to share mental health resources and other support for people with disabilities and their families. Communicators may want to circulate information about government benefits and other forms of assistance available for people with disabilities, as well as the types of long-term mental health care and disability care. Resources to highlight include The Arc, which connects people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to a variety of services, including mental health services, and 211, a free referral service that connects people to counseling, caregiver support, transportation assistance, and more.