STHS Behavioral To Highlight The Impact Of Trauma On Mental Health During Special Live Webinar

STHS Behavioral will dedicate its latest “Let’s Talk Mental Health” webinar to understanding the psychological impact of trauma and effective strategies for trauma healing

Experiencing a traumatic event like a life-threatening motor vehicle accident, sexual assault or a natural disaster can alter brain structure and function, affecting areas responsible for emotional regulation, decision-making and memory.

Even witnessing violence can leave emotional wounds that need to be addressed, rather than simply disappearing with time.

“When a person experiences trauma, your body’s ‘fight, flight, freeze or fawn’ response can become hyperactive, leading to automatic and overwhelming reactions to perceived threats,” says Leticia Sosa, MSSW, LCSW, LCDC-I., KAP, CLYL, EMDR- Therapist, Director of Outpatient Services, South Texas Health System Behavioral. “It’s important to remember that the way your body and brain respond to trauma is a survival mechanism, not a sign of personal weakness.”

Those changes in the body and brain can result in long-term effects, including increased anxiety and fear, difficulty concentrating and remembering, flashbacks and nightmares, emotional dysregulation and changes in behavior and our ability to make decisions.

“When we experience events that are deeply devastating and distressing, it stays with us, and our brains and bodies attempt to keep similar situations from occurring again,” says Sosa. “It’s not as simple as letting it go, because we may not be as equipped to manage similar circumstances in the future.”

Unfortunately, trauma is widespread, with around 70% of U.S. adults experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it significantly increases the risk of mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety disorders.

The trauma experience is not uniform; it varies from person to person. Some individuals may be resilient in the face of traumatic stress or physical injury, while others might struggle to navigate the aftermath of a traumatic event.

However, recognizing these experiences and their impact is the first crucial step toward healing from trauma.

So, to help Rio Grande Valley residents better understand the impact of trauma on mental health and ways to heal following a traumatic event, South Texas Health System Behavioral will dedicate its latest Let’s Talk Your Mental Health webinar to the subject.

The free online seminar will take place on Thursday, October 2, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., live via the South Texas Health System Facebook page.

Entitled “Let’s Talk Trauma,” the webinar will feature a mental health professional from STHS Behavioral highlighting different trigger factors that can affect your trauma, effective strategies for trauma healing and resources available to help keep your mental health in check.

“Recovering from trauma takes time, and everyone heals at their own pace,” says Sosa. “It involves professional therapy, a strong support system and self-care. But it’s a unique process for each person that focuses on regaining safety, empowerment and living in the present without being overwhelmed by past trauma.”

For more information on the webinar, visit the STHS Facebook Events page. If you’d like to view previous Let’s Talk Mental Health seminars, visit STHSLetsTalk.com.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.