June is PTSD Awareness Month
June is PTSD Awareness month - "Learn, Connect, Share"
June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness month. Did you know that the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) was one of the first VA Medical Centers to offer PTSD programs? You’re not alone, the San Francisco Health Care System is here to help support you and your loved ones.
Urgent Services: Veterans are seen for same-day urgent mental health appointments at Psychiatric Evaluation Services in Bldg. 200, Ground Floor, located in the Emergency Department. (Open 24/7 for urgent or emergency psychiatric concerns, such as experiencing suicidal thoughts, acute intoxication/withdrawal, or acute psychosis.)
Same-Day Walk-in Mental Health Clinic: Open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Located in Bldg. 203, Ground Floor, Room GA-28. Go to the Mental Health Access Center front desk and let them know you would like to be seen in the same-day clinic. This clinic will see Veterans who are having issues with stress, anger, depression, alcohol, or drugs, and interested in talking with someone; are transferring their care from a different medical center and need a refill of a psychiatric medication; need to establish outpatient mental health care at SFVAMC and want to speak with someone about it; or are interested in learning about mental health resources provided at SFVAMC.
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available. #BeThere
Access Center for General Outpatient Mental Health Services: Veterans can be referred by their primary medical providers for general outpatient mental health services. Veterans are then seen at the Mental Health Access Center (Bldg. 203, Ground Floor, Room GA-28) for an intake appointment.
Addiction Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS): This program offers treatment for Veterans who have found their use of alcohol or drugs has caused them significant distress or impairment with negative effects on family, personal relationships, health or work. Our treatment services are structured to care for people through all stages of recovery. Some of our specialized programs include:
- Transition Program
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Drug and Alcohol Treatment Clinic (DATC)
- Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
- Prescription Opioid Safety Team (POST)/ Addiction Consult (AddCon)
- Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND)
- Substance Use Post-traumatic Stress Team (SUPT)
- Addiction Research Program
What is PTSD?
PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. People may develop PTSD when they are exposed or witness something traumatic like war, physical violence, sexual violence, auto accidents and much more. After such events, a person may start suffering from symptoms if they were unable to process what happened to them or what they witnessed. Those with PTSD may experience:
- Disturbing memories, thoughts
- Nightmares
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of hyper-vigilance or being on guard for fear of danger
- Flashback memories
The National Center for PTSD website (www.ptsd.va.gov) is a great resource for Veterans to learn more about PTSD and treatment options.
Discover the facts.
Start with PTSD Basics, key information about trauma, PTSD and treatment options. Download our Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment (PDF) brochure.
Explore your options.
Take the mystery out of PTSD treatment. Watch our short whiteboard video PTSD Treatment: Know Your Options to learn which treatments are best and use the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid to find the treatment that is best for you. Or visit AboutFace, a website where Veterans, their family members and clinicians talk about turning life around with PTSD treatment. Speak with your VA Primary Care Doctor today about treatment options at the SFVAHCS.
Help someone. Help yourself.
Do you think you might have PTSD or know someone at risk? Take action. Find out what to do if you think you might have PTSD and learn where to get help.
Give support. Get support.
If you are getting treatment, or have finished treatment for PTSD, we have self-help tools for managing stress. If someone you love has PTSD, get tips on how to take care of yourself while you support your loved one. See support for family and friends or get started with the PTSD Family Coach mobile app.
