PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Lutheran Family Services provides support to refugees with PTSD and other mental health issues. If you suspect that members of the family that you are mentoring are suffering from PTSD, please contact MARC@denrescue.org or Christy.Wimber@lfsrm.org so that they can connect them with help.
PTSD Mental Health Service Providers:
Aurora Mental Health Clinic: http://www.aumhc.org/
303.617.2300
University of Colorado Hospital - Outpatient Psychiatric Services: http://www.uch.edu/conditions/outpatient-psychiatric/
303.724.1000
Asian Pacific Development Center: http://apdc.org/news/integrated-care-services/mental-behavioral-health/
303.393.0304
Jewish Family Services: http://jewishfamilyservice.org/services/counseling-for-refugees-and-immigrants
Information: Ralitsa Ranova, 303.597.7777, rranova@jewishfamilyservice.org
Warning Signs/symptoms and other resources:
Mayo Clinic's info on PTSD: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/DS00246
US Department of Veterans Affairs info and resources for PTSD: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/index.asp
Canada's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/posttraumatic_stress_disorder/Pages/ptsd_refugees_brochure.aspx
Article: "Mental health of refugees, internally displaced persons and other populations affected by conflict" http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/pht/mental_health_refugees/en/
Article: "PTSD in Refugees" by Elisa E. Bolton: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/ptsd-refugees.asp
To read LFSRM's compilation of suicide facts and intervention and prevention tactics, please follow this link. the power point presentation is attached below the announcement: New information about refugee suicide prevention
Children and PTSD:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: http://www.nctsnet.org/trauma-types/refugee-and-war-zone-trauma