Listening to you, caring for you
From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll hear the sounds of hope, health and strength, because we’re more than just hospitals, ERs and clinics. Ascension care teams start by understanding you, your health and your life to deliver care that’s right for you. The compassionate, personalized care you’ve come to expect is close to home and connected to a national network of care and the expertise of a wide range of doctors and specialists. So, you’ll be connected to all the care you need for you and your family.
Post-Traumatic Stress and PTSD
After a traumatic event, many people experience a wide range of emotions and thoughts. These can include difficult experiences such as shock, sadness, anxiety, irritability, and guilt, as well as positive experiences such as gratitude, love, or calm. Some people may feel a stronger connection to their loved ones and have a better outlook on life, while others may feel depressed, on edge, and have difficulty sleeping. Everyone is different in their reactions to trauma, and in the first few weeks most reactions are considered normal.
If you continue to have multiple difficulties after trauma that last more than one month and interfere in your ability to recover, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health problems such as depression. There are effective treatments available for these mental health issues. PTSD can occur in people who experience traumatic events, including witnessing another person experiencing trauma. Over 8 million American adults are affected by PTSD from various traumas, so if you are experiencing these symptoms you are not alone. Click here for more information about PTSD.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Screening (click here)
If you answered yes to 3 of the 5 questions on the screen, you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Please refer to resources below to seek additional assessment and treatment from a trained mental health professional who is knowledgeable about trauma.
Coping Tips
The emotional recovery from trauma can be a long-term process. In addition to professional treatment, several self-care activities can help promote recovery. Try several of the following coping tips to find out which ones help you feel better and then incorporate them into your life.
Slow down. During and right after a trauma, avoid making major life changes or decisions. Take long, slow deep breaths. Be patient with recovery because it takes time.
Connect with friends and family. It’s easy to feel alone when you’ve been through a trauma and are not feeling well. But becoming isolated can make you feel worse. You can get support you need by talking to friends and family. Studies show that having meaningful connections with others in your life can have a positive impact on your health and recovery.
Relax. Each person has different activities that help them relax and cope with stress. They may include listening to music, watching television, playing games, reading a book, or taking a walk outside. You can also relax with deep breathing, yoga, meditation or massage therapy. Avoid using drugs, alcohol or smoking to relax. Do things that you enjoy.
Exercise. Exercise can relieve tense muscles, improve your mood and sleep, and boost your energy and strength. Exercise can also help with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise with medical approval.
Get enough rest. Getting enough sleep helps you cope with your problems, lowers your risk for illness, and helps you recover from daily stress. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts can be a great way to work through issues. Researchers have found that writing about painful events can reduce stress and improve health.
Refrain from drugs and alcohol. Although using drugs and alcohol may seem to help you cope, they can make your symptoms worse, delay your treatment and recovery, and cause abuse or addiction problems.
Limit caffeine. Caffeine can often trigger anxiety and may also disturb your sleep.
Limit some media. If watching the news or other programs makes you feel worse, limit the amount of time you watch. Limiting social media can also lead to improvements in well-being. Try not to listen to or read disturbing news before going to sleep.
Maintain a routine. Establish a regular schedule for eating, sleeping, and other daily activities.
TSN Coordinator – Wichita, KS
Victoria Chandler
Injury Prevention Coordinator – Community Outreach, Safe Kids Wichita Area
Address: 929 N St. Francis St.; Wichita, KS 67214
Telephone: 316-268-6760
Email
[email protected]
Website
Upcoming Programs & Events
May is Trauma Awareness Month!
May 2024 – The entire month of May is focused on raising awareness for trauma survivors, their family/friends, and the trauma professionals who go above and beyond every day. Learn more here .
National Trauma Survivors Day!
May 15, 2024 – The 3rd Wednesday in May is National Trauma Survivors Day! We celebrate together the strength and resiliency of trauma survivors, their family/friends, and the trauma professionals who go above and beyond every day. Learn more here.
NextSteps Online
Ongoing – The NextSteps program is a free 6-week self management course designed to recognize that YOU play the most important role in your recovery. based on the principles of self-management. It uses techniques that have been scientifically proven to increase one’s self confidence and sense of empowerment. NextSteps teaches you the skills to become an active self manager of your health and your life. Learn more here.
Virtual Support Group
Please join our Virtual Support Group! FREE support group that meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month.
Registration link here!
Community Resources
Trauma & PTSD Support Groups in Kansas
Greater Wichita Health/Wellness & Community Resources
Wichita State University Psychology Clinic
Support Groups and Education
Trauma & Connections Support Group
Group held at “The Women’s Initiative Network” – 510 E 3rd St N, Wichita, KS 67202
As individuals, we can experience trauma in many forms and in our everyday lives. Trauma does not discriminate by socio-economics, gender, age, race or religion. We can find it in our homes, our neighborhoods, our schools, our cities; and it only becomes more alarming from there. We also experience trauma in our day to day connections with others. News, social media, gaming, entertainment; it is all there to keep you informed and tuned in to a level of violence that we, as humans, are not hardwired to comprehend.
As individual, families, and communities we are impacted in ways such as disrupted healthy development, adversely affected relationships, and a large contribution to mental health issues including substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse. Everyone pays the price when a community produces multi-generations of people with untreated trauma in the forms of increase in crime, lost wages, and threats to the stability of the family.
Join fellow survivors of trauma, including narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault, in a focused support group where we come together in community and share in a supportive, non-judgement environment. In this community, we find out we are not alone in our struggles as we give and receive support you to know that you are not alone in our struggles. This group is focused on starting a conversation in our community to define and recognize the effects of trauma and how to incorporate basic self care activities and supportive resources.
Thrive Together: Abuse Survivor Support Group
The 2nd Saturday of each month from 1pm to 3pm
Group held at “The Collective at the Garvey Center” – 300 W Douglas, Suite 205, Wichita, KS
Join fellow survivors of trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of trauma in a focused support group where we can come together in community and share in a supportive, non-judgmental environment what our struggles are and receive support and perspective from other survivors.
Partners in PTSD Support Group
The 3rd Saturday of each month from 1pm to 3pm
Group held at “The Collective at the Garvey Center” – 300 W Douglas, Suite 205, Wichita, KS
The Next Chapter will be facilitating an ongoing support group for the caregivers and loved ones of abuse survivors. Living with someone who has experienced a trauma can be hard for the whole family. Recognizing triggers, coping with reactive behaviors and learning how to communicate effectively can be difficult at best. This support group is established to provide the necessary support, education and sounding board to help in the healing process.