How to help veterans with PTSD celebrate the Fourth of July

FORT STEWART, Ga. (WTOC) - The Fourth of July is Thursday and there’s one group of people you may want to keep an eye out for if you’re celebrating, veterans. WTOC talked to Fort Stewart’s Winn Army community hospital for ways to help.

Many communities across our area are already kicking off fireworks celebrations ahead of the Fourth of July tomorrow. While the loud booms and smell of smoke excite many, it can be a trigger for those that served our country’s military.

“It may remind people of being under fire or being involved in a training accident,” said Winn Army Community Hospital, Captain Takiah Boyce

Seven percent of veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. Captain Takiah Boyce with Winn Army community Hospital on Fort Stewart says fireworks are a common trigger.

“Perhaps you can watch from the car. If you want to be within a crowd, but you just don’t want to hear the loud sounds, then those earplugs or some noise cancellation headphones will do the trick,” said Boyce.

Boyce says, you won’t be able to see all signs of PTSD. So, to be aware of signs like isolation, if they’re normally okay in crowds. She offers a few ways to support people you know that may experience PTSD.

“Remind them that they are safe, perform a deep breathing or mindfulness exercise to calm them, take them to a place that’s quiet where they can see their fireworks and perhaps that can be something that’s done to plan ahead. Hey, we can watch the fireworks from this location. We can see it, but it’s quiet here and we’re not disturbed by the sound,” said Boyce.

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