As America observes Memorial Day, local health experts are using the occasion not only to honor those who died in military service but also to draw attention to post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition affecting more than 13 million people nationwide, including many veterans.
Mayor Victor Gordo has proclaimed May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Pasadena, underscoring the city’s focus on mental health as the nation reflects on the sacrifices and ongoing struggles of servicemembers who carry home the psychological impacts of war.
PTSD affects more than 13 million people in the United States, including 8% of all veterans, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD, which notes it is common to experience symptoms soon after a traumatic event such as combat.
However, if those symptoms last longer than a month, it may be PTSD.
Servicemembers returning from deployments abroad who have faced traumatic events such as combat, terrorist attacks, accidents or sexual assault may encounter nightmares or flashbacks associated with PTSD, causing them to relive these experiences and harming their mental well-being.
“Veterans with PTSD are impacted in different ways,” said Dr. Juan-Carlos Zuberbuhler with Kaiser Permanente, which maintains its Southern California regional headquarters in Pasadena.
“What many have in common, however, is that PTSD can negatively affect how a person handles daily activities such as a job, going to school or having healthy relationships with your spouse, children, friends and loved ones. That can often lead to shame, social withdrawal, anxiety, sleep disorders, or even suicide.”
Dr. Zuberbuhler noted the simplest triggers can make someone with PTSD feel like their nervous system becomes hijacked by a panic reaction, which can cause a person to fight (get angry), flight (avoid) or freeze (feel numb).
“Certain factors increase the chances of someone developing PTSD, including having directly experienced or repeatedly witnessing the aftermath of a very intense or long-lasting traumatic event,” he added. “Thus, in addition to direct victims, many first responders or healthcare providers can be at risk for developing PTSD.”
In a separate proclamation, Gordo emphasized that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being and that addressing the mental health needs in Pasadena of children, youth, adults, seniors and families is fundamental to having a healthy community.
The proclamation states that Pasadena is committed to raising awareness about mental illness, promoting effective community partnerships and collaborations to serve the mental health needs of the community, and increasing access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services.
The mayor’s proclamation encourages all citizens, businesses, organizations and agencies to work collaboratively to reduce the stigma of mental illness and to increase the mental health of the Pasadena community.
It formally declares the month of May 2026 in Pasadena as Mental Health Awareness Month and calls on the community to support efforts that improve mental health for residents.
For those with PTSD, Zuberbuhler said several day-to-day practices may improve a person’s path to recovery.
These include always attending scheduled counseling sessions and doctor’s appointments, reassuring and comforting yourself in times of anxiety and keeping on going, getting sufficient rest, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and illegal drug use that can raise anxiety levels and cause sleeping problems, exercising, using proven relaxation techniques and getting involved in the community.
Because there are times when PTSD can cause severe anxiety and other mental health challenges, Zuberbuhler emphasized it is important to know when to seek help.
“If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or others, then call 911,” he said. “Also, contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse, or you feel your state of mental health isn’t improving.”
Kaiser Permanente offers valuable care instructions for those with PTSD, while Pasadena’s Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation calls for greater awareness, collaboration and access to services to address mental health needs in the community.
Both the Memorial Day focus on the sacrifices of servicemembers and the city’s mental health efforts highlight the ongoing importance of recognizing and addressing conditions such as PTSD among veterans and other affected residents.
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