PTSD Awareness Day: Supporting Veterans and Strengthening Recovery

Every year on 27 June, PTSD Awareness Day invites us to reflect on the experiences of people living with post-traumatic stress disorder and to recognise its lasting impact on individuals, families and communities. 

This awareness day is especially important as it reduces the silence that can often surround trauma and urges the wider public to recognise the unseen battles veterans can face after leaving the military, as there are many misconceptions around the realities of PTSD – particularly in relation to veterans.

New YouGov research commissioned by Combat Stress highlights just how significant those misconceptions remain. The research demonstrates that only 17% of people could correctly identify specific non-combat roles as being at risk of PTSD. While PTSD is often associated with frontline combat, the reality is far broader. Any veteran can be affected, regardless of their role or length of service. Experiences such as sexual violence, bullying, moral injury, humanitarian crises and exposure to civilian suffering can all contribute to trauma, yet the belief that you “need to have been shot at” to develop PTSD still persists. This is particularly worrying, as it can lead those who have not experienced frontline combat to minimise or dismiss their own symptoms, reinforcing stigma and creating an additional barrier to seeking the help and support they need.

The research recognised that there is also a clear confidence gap in how the public engages with veterans on these issues. Just 13% feel very comfortable discussing trauma or mental health with a veteran, and fewer than half feel comfortable at all.  This highlights the need not just for awareness, but for more confident, informed, and empathetic conversations.

This lack of understanding has real consequences. On average, veterans wait 14 years before seeking help for PTSD after leaving service.  In our experience supporting clients, this delay is often driven by stigma, a lack of awareness of symptoms, or a tendency to feel they should simply cope or “push through” without support. 

Our specialist military team works closely with veterans and serving personnel who live with PTSD both for civil cases and cases under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. Ultimately, our role at Irwin Mitchell is to ensure that our client’s receive the compensation that they deserve, but we also want to ensure that the process is as clear and caring as possible. Our team all recognise that a legal claim is only one part of a wider recovery journey for our clients with PTSD, who may also be embarking on treatment courses and wider supportive interventions. 

Many of our clients are also supported by our close friends at Combat Stress, whose specialist care is often a key part of their progress through treatment. Combat Stress are the UK’s leading charity for veteran’s mental health, and they play a central part in the marking of PTSD Awareness Day. 

Also, on 9 July, I will be hosting a webinar via Combat Stress’ platform on the Armed Forces Scheme in Practice: Supporting Serving Personnel and Veterans. This practical session will provide a clear overview of how the scheme works, common challenges, and the key evidence needed to build strong claims. We hope you join us. 

On PTSD Awareness Day and beyond we stand with veterans, their families and the professionals who support them. Simple acts such as learning more about PTSD, attending an awareness event, or reaching out to someone who may be struggling can make a real difference. We’re committed to providing expert legal guidance with empathy and understanding so that no veteran feels alone on their recovery journey. 

Find out more about our military legal support.