If you are in crisis, call or text 988. We will be here when you are ready.
When it is and why it matters
PTSD support groups see a surge in interest every June during PTSD Awareness Month. June is PTSD Awareness Month. Congress first designated the month in 2010 to raise public understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. The VA’s National Center for PTSD has led awareness efforts since that first designation. PTSD Awareness Day falls on June 27.
PTSD support groups and peer communities help address this. Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, including violence, sexual assault, accidents, combat, natural disasters, and other experiences that overwhelm the nervous system. PTSD is not a character flaw. It is the brain and nervous system responding to something that threatened life or safety.
Awareness Month matters because PTSD is still widely misunderstood. Many people who meet diagnostic criteria are never diagnosed. Many who are diagnosed face stigma, particularly in communities where discussing mental health carries a cultural cost. And many never learn that treatment works, or that peer support groups exist as a complement to clinical care.
What the research says
Approximately 6.8 percent of U.S. adults will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. In any given year, an estimated 3.6 percent of adults have the disorder (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2023). Women are diagnosed at roughly twice the rate of men, with annual prevalence rates of 5.2 percent for women compared to 1.8 percent for men (NIMH, 2023).
Veterans carry a disproportionate burden. The VA National Center for PTSD maintains a directory of PTSD support groups and treatment resources for veterans and civilians alike. Among veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, rates of PTSD have been estimated as high as 29 percent. Among Persian Gulf War veterans, the rate is approximately 21 percent (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023). These rates reflect exposure to sustained combat trauma, often compounded by systemic barriers to mental health care within and after military service.
PTSD is treatable. Evidence-based therapies include Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Peer support groups are not a substitute for clinical treatment, but research consistently shows they reduce isolation, strengthen coping, and help people maintain the gains made in therapy.
Groups for trauma survivors in our directory
My Therapy Groups lists PTSD support groups, trauma recovery groups, and peer support communities for survivors of various types of trauma, including combat trauma, sexual violence, childhood abuse, and accident-related trauma. Groups vary by format, focus, and facilitation model.
When choosing PTSD support groups, consider format first. Some groups are clinician-led; others are peer-led. Some focus on a specific trauma type, such as veteran PTSD or sexual violence survivorship. Others offer broader support for anyone living with trauma symptoms. Search by term, such as “PTSD,” “trauma,” or “trauma recovery,” to find groups near you or online.
Coverage varies by region. If listings are thin in your area, contact group leaders directly. Many can point you toward communities they know of that are not yet listed.
How to choose a group
The most important question is safety. A good trauma support group should feel like a place where you can talk without being retraumatized in the process of attending. Look for groups that set clear norms around what members share and how.
Ask whether the group is open (anyone can join at any time) or closed (a stable cohort that started together). Closed groups tend to build deeper trust over time. Open groups are more accessible but may feel less consistent week to week.
If you are a veteran, look for veteran-specific groups. The shared context matters. If you are a survivor of sexual violence, look for groups that specifically include sexual trauma in their scope, and consider reaching out to RAINN (rainn.org) as a starting point. Check whether the facilitator has training in trauma-informed facilitation, which is especially important in peer-led settings.
Other resources
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.
- Veterans Crisis Line: call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat at veteranscrisisline.net.
- RAINN (rainn.org): support for survivors of sexual violence. 24/7 hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
- National Center for PTSD (ptsd.va.gov): evidence-based information, self-help tools, and provider resources from the VA.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org): support groups, education programs, and a helpline.
Frequently asked questions
What is PTSD Awareness Month?
PTSD Awareness Month is observed every June to increase public understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder, reduce stigma, and connect people to treatment and support. PTSD Awareness Day is June 27.
What types of trauma can lead to PTSD?
PTSD can develop after many types of trauma, including combat, sexual assault, physical violence, accidents, natural disasters, and childhood abuse. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Responses depend on many factors, including prior trauma history, available social support, and neurobiological factors. PTSD is not a sign of weakness or inadequate coping.
How is a PTSD support group different from PTSD therapy?
A support group is typically peer-led or community-focused. It provides connection, shared experience, and coping support. It is not clinical treatment. PTSD therapy, such as Prolonged Exposure or Cognitive Processing Therapy, is delivered by a licensed clinician and directly targets trauma symptoms. Many people find both helpful at different stages.
Can I join a trauma support group without a PTSD diagnosis?
Yes. Many groups welcome anyone living with trauma symptoms, regardless of formal diagnosis. A diagnosis is not a requirement for peer support.
What if I am in crisis right now?
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 immediately. Veterans can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255. RAINN’s hotline is 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If your life is in immediate danger, call 911.
References
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). How common is PTSD in veterans? National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov
My Therapy Groups is a directory. Group leaders write their own listings, and we do not vet, supervise, or endorse the groups listed here. We are not a clinic and we do not provide clinical services or guarantee outcomes. That is the group’s work, not ours. If you are in crisis, call or text 988. We will be here when you are ready.
Peer support groups and clinician-led PTSD groups serve different needs — knowing the difference helps you choose. Finding PTSD support groups near you or online is a manageable first step toward recovery.
PTSD support groups vary widely in format, size, and focus. Whether you are a veteran, a survivor of assault, or someone processing childhood trauma, PTSD support groups offer a peer community that understands what you are carrying.
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