June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day and we want to take a moment and reflect on those in the workforce who navigate a PTSD diagnosis. Employees living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may seem content on the surface, but they often face invisible challenges that affect their day-to-day work.
Whether the trauma comes from military service, public safety roles, or other life experiences, HR leaders need to understand the signs of PTSD and create a workplace where those employees feel seen, supported and empowered.
Signs of PTSD in Employees
Signs of PTSD can vary from person to person, but they generally fall into four main categories, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative changes in mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Common PTSD symptoms may include:
- Flashbacks or reliving the traumatic event
- Unwanted memories that pop up suddenly and feel intense
- Avoiding people, places, conversations or activities that are reminders of the trauma
- Withdrawing socially or emotionally
- Refusing to talk about or acknowledge related feelings
- Persistent feelings of fear, guilt, shame, or numbness
- Feeling detached or disconnected from others
- Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
- Angry outbursts or irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
A PTSD diagnosis can create real challenges in the workplace, both for the employee and their team. Employees may struggle with concentration, memory, and emotional regulation, especially in high-stress or unpredictable environments. Heightened anxiety and sleep disturbances can further affect their performance and attendance. These symptoms don’t mean someone isn’t capable, but they mean they may need different support.
Colleagues or managers who aren’t familiar with PTSD might misinterpret behavior as uncooperative or disengaged, causing stigma or strained relationships. That's why employers must foster a culture of awareness and support.
What You Can Do to Support Employees with PTSD
Your approach to supporting employees with PTSD should involve training managers to recognize the signs and respond with empathy, not assumptions. Give employees flexibility in their roles, whether that means adjusting schedules, allowing time for appointments or offering remote work options when needed.
You also want to openly communicate available resources. PTSD isn’t always visible, and employees may not reach out unless they know it’s safe to do so. By making support systems easy to access and a built-in element of your culture, you send a powerful message.
Employers can take a proactive role in supporting mental health by offering advanced primary care (APC) with integrated mental health services. This approach combines physical and mental health support in one connected system, making it easier for employees to access care without jumping through hoops or waiting weeks for an appointment.
The advanced primary care model includes longer appointments, personalized follow-up, and easy referrals to therapists or psychiatrists. That’s a game-changer for someone managing PTSD, who may need ongoing support but struggle with fragmented or hard-to-navigate health systems.
APC enables employees to build trust with a primary care provider who understands their full health history and can spot signs of mental health struggles early. Integrated mental health professionals can step in quickly, offering therapy, medication management, or coping strategies within a familiar and supportive setting. This seamless coordination not only improves outcomes but also reduces the stigma of seeking help.
Supporting employees with PTSD isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic move that strengthens your workforce. When employers design a culture that prioritizes mental well-being and offers accessible support, team members are more likely to use available resources and improve their overall health.
By providing comprehensive primary care and integrated mental health services, employers can help individuals with PTSD feel confident in their roles, leading to greater stability, satisfaction and long-term success.