Experts Urge Fireworks Awareness to Support Veterans With PTSD
Salisbury, Md– As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, mental health experts are reminding the public to celebrate responsibly. The noise and flashes of fireworks can trigger trauma, particularly for veterans.
Heather Brown, executive director of Behind the Line Inc., said stigma still surrounds mental health in the military and first responder communities.
“There’s still that stigma that lingers, which is, you know, again, if I talk about it, then I’m seen as weak,” she said.
This Independence Day, experts say it’s OK to not be OK.
Jeff Merritt, founder of Operation We Care, said, “I would just encourage anybody who might not be having their best day for whatever reason to not hesitate to reach out. It’s OK. You know, there are a lot of people out here to help.”
Merritt encourages veterans, first responders and active-duty service members to seek help when they are struggling. Resources include hotlines, Operation We Care and Behind the Line Inc.
“Even if it’s PTSD, it’s a human response to experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as combat or other serious situations that might feel life-threatening,” Brown said.
As the United States celebrates its 249th birthday, Brown said, it’s important to be mindful of the potential impact fireworks can have. Post-traumatic stress disorder can include sound sensitivity and may trigger painful memories.
“These sudden flashes, explosions might resemble some things that they experienced during that time,” she said. “As a community, we want to be mindful of how we can support our veterans, not just our veterans, but also our first responders and others who have PTSD.”
If you need someone to talk to, call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or reach out to local organizations such as those mentioned below.
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
https://behindthelineinc.org/resources
https://www.tidalhealth.org/our-locations/tidalhealth-crisis-center
