What is the PTSD Program?
The PTSD Program is a free self-guided online learning program from Mental Health Online that provides information on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and teaches you skills and strategies to:
- Understand and identify the symptoms of PTSD
- Gain control of physical reactions
- Discover relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation
- Identify and replace unhelpful beliefs and ways of thinking
- Protect your mental health and wellbeing after the course.
Who is the PTSD Program for?
The PTSD Program is available for Australian residents over the age of 18 and may be helpful for people with mild to moderate levels of PTSD or anyone who experiences trauma-related symptoms such as:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Being overly alert
- Feelings of numbness
- Recurrent memories.
If you’re unsure if the PTSD Program is right for you, you can complete Mental Health Online’s mental health assessment, e-PASS, which will make recommendations about which program(s) might be better suited for you.
Remember that PTSD is a treatable condition. There are many things that you can do to feel better in the moment, as well as long-term strategies that work to treat trauma. Lifeline is always here for you if you want to speak to someone.
How does the PTSD Program help?
Consisting of 12 self-paced modules that can be completed over the course of 12 months, the PTSD Program uses principles from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help you:
- Understand the link between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
- Recognise patterns of thinking and behaviour
- Identify and challenge core beliefs
- Learn new behaviours and techniques to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Getting started with the PTSD Program
To get started with the PTSD Program, head to the Mental Health Online website. It’s free but does require you to register.
While the PTSD Program can be completed independently, you can also sign up to the organisation’s free Therapist Assist option to access 12 weeks of support from a trained Mental Health Online therapist while you use the program.
