You Are Not Alone — Let’s Talk About PTSD

June is PTSD Awareness Month

Life after foster care can be challenging. You’ve been through a lot—more than most people your age. And sometimes, the effects of those past experiences linger in ways that are hard to explain. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the past, emotionally drained, or constantly on edge, you’re not alone. What you’re feeling might be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and it’s more common than you might think.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that can happen after experiencing or witnessing something traumatic—like abuse, neglect, loss, violence, or instability. It can affect how you think, feel, and react to the world around you.

Common symptoms include:

• Nightmares or flashbacks

• Feeling anxious or easily startled

• Avoiding people or places that bring up memories

• Trouble sleeping or focusing

• Feeling emotionally numb, angry, or overwhelmed

These are more than just “bad days.” They’re real symptoms—and they deserve real support.

There’s Help Out There

Healing starts by recognizing what’s going on. If you’ve been wondering whether what you're feeling could be PTSD, take a few minutes to check in with yourself.

👉 Take a free, confidential PTSD screeningThis can be a first step toward understanding and healing.

Need Someone to Talk To?

You don’t have to go through this alone. There are people who care and want to help:

• Text “HOME” to 741741 to talk to a trained crisis counselor, 24/7

• Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Reach out to our team—we can help you find local therapists and trauma-informed care options

This June, take a moment to care for your mental health. You’ve survived so much—and that strength can carry you forward into healing. You are not broken. You are not alone.