Today Is National PTSD Awareness Day

There was a time in my life when I didn’t believe that PTSD was real. In fact, I was the asshole leader who would often tell younger Marines that PTSD wasn’t real. I would say that PTSD was a sign of weakness and that you needed to rise to the occasion and push through the demons.

Years later, there are not many things I regret more than telling those young Marines that ridiculous shit. PTSD has been around for as long war itself. On Zero Blog Thirty, we try to bring up instances of PTSD from the past. When we speak with older heroes, they bring it up. They bring it up under the cover of a different name. They call it shell shock, war fatigue, night terrors, and on and on. They are calling a rose by any other name. It’s PTSD.

As I’ve gotten older, I realize now that PTSD might be the most natural reaction to seeing horrific events. PTSD isn’t a disorder, in my opinion, but rather a very normal mental and physiological reaction to extreme trauma.

Barstool has and always will have a very strong base within the military community. There will be young soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who read this. If you find yourself struggling, get help. Seeking help is not the sign of weakness that I once thought; it’s a sign of strength. This summer I will be ten years removed from the day I was shot. I still speak to a counselor regularly. PTSD can manifest itself in many different ways. For some, it’s depression. For some, it’s anxiety. For all, it’s important that you talk to someone.

Whether you are military or not, depression and anxiety can be crushing. Don’t feel overwhelmed alone.

20 veterans a day kill themselves. Of those 20, around 14 are not enrolled in any type of mental health services. Reach out. You’re worth it. PTSD Veteran Line: 1-877-717-PTSD (7873)

We’ll spend time this week talking about PTSD. Subscribe here.