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:

National Institute of Mental Health: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters (PDF)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: http://www.nctsnet.org/trauma-types/refugee-and-war-zone-trauma