Skip to content
Project 2025
Search

Latest Stories

Follow Us:
Top Stories
Citizens in Name Only: What the Supreme Court Can’t Fix

Citizens in Name Only: What the Supreme Court Can’t Fix

Rioters breach Capitol security Jan. 6

Trump’s 1776 Slush Fund Shows a New Level of Executive Abuse

National PTSD Awareness Day: A Call to Action for Veterans and Civil Discourse

Opinion

Close-up of military man holding hands with his therapist during counseling at mental health center.

PTSD Awareness Day is not only a time to advocate for veterans' mental health but also an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the emotional responses triggered by political division.

Getty Images, Drazen Zigic
David L. Nevins
By David L. NevinsJun 26, 2025
David L. Nevins
David L. Nevins serves as publisher of The Fulcrum. Additionally, Nevins serves as co-founder and Board Chairman of the Bridge Alliance. Nevins brings business acumen, vision and a tireless this-must-and-can-be-done zeal to the burgeoning movement to bridge divides to transform the political process. As a business leader, Nevins excels at building bridges between people and organizations from the right, left and center for civilized conversation and then action. He co-founded the Bridge Alliance because, as he says, “No matter how well managed and how well funded anyone organization is, significant political reform will not happen without an alliance to further collaborative interactions. Together we can and will raise the collective impact of all.” He is a member of the Aspen Institute Society of Fellows, with a focus on the Aspen Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, he established and continues to work with The Nevins Democracy Leaders program at Penn State University. Nevins graduated with honors in economics from Penn State in 1969 and received an M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971.
See More Writings by author

Each year on June 27, National PTSD Awareness Day shines a light on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), encouraging those affected to seek support. This observance was officially recognized by the U.S. Senate in 2010, following an initiative by Senator Kent Conrad to honor a North Dakota National Guard member who tragically took his own life after serving two tours in Iraq.

PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as combat, assault, accidents, or natural disasters. Its symptoms—ranging from flashbacks and anxiety to mood swings and avoidance behaviors—can be deeply disruptive. PTSD Awareness Day is part of PTSD Awareness Month, which spans the entire month of June, promoting education, treatment options, and community support for those affected.

The Troubling Cuts to PTSD Care

Veterans who have bravely served our nation deserve comprehensive support in addressing PTSD symptoms. That is why recent funding reductions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are especially concerning.

DOGE’s budget cuts have affected Veterans Affairs (VA) contracts, including critical services related to PTSD care. Initially, the VA planned to terminate 875 contracts, but after pushback from employees, the number was reduced to 585. Among the contracts canceled was one supporting the National Center for PTSD—a leading institution dedicated to research and education on post-traumatic stress disorder.

Further complicating matters, the VA is undergoing a major reorganization that includes cutting 80,000 jobs. While officials claim that mission-critical programs will remain intact, these reductions raise serious concerns about the future of veterans’ healthcare services, including PTSD treatment.

PTSD Awareness and Political Discourse

PTSD Awareness Day is not only a time to advocate for veterans' mental health but also an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the emotional responses triggered by political division. Political debates can evoke strong emotions, particularly for individuals affected by trauma. Recognizing one's reactions—whether PTSD-related or not—can foster empathy and encourage more measured discussions.

Now more than ever we must reduce hostility in our national discourse…we must create spaces where individuals feel safe expressing their views without fear of personal attacks. This is especially vital for those who have experienced trauma, whether military related or not, as combative rhetoric can exacerbate stress responses.

That is why PTSD Awareness Week matters—not just as a campaign for mental health but as a movement toward patience and understanding in our conversations. When people acknowledge the impact of trauma, they are more likely to approach disagreements with compassion rather than aggression.

Five Ways to Promote Civility and Constructive Dialogue

  1. Promote Empathy in Political Conversations
    • Recognizing how trauma affects communication fosters patience and understanding.
    • Encourage discussions that acknowledge emotional responses without dismissing differing viewpoints.
  2. Use Personal Stories to Humanize Issues
    • Sharing veterans' experiences with PTSD can bridge divides and create common ground.
    • Highlighting real-life struggles can shift conversations from polarization to compassion.
  3. Encourage Mindful Dialogue Techniques
    • Active listening and reflective responses prevent heated exchanges.
    • Avoid reactionary rhetoric—instead, prioritize thoughtful engagement.
  4. Advocate for Trauma-Informed Policy Discussions
    • Push for policies that strengthen mental health resources for veterans.
    • Frame debates around solutions rather than blame, ensuring discussions remain constructive.
  5. Leverage Professional Platforms for Awareness
    • Since you’re exploring LinkedIn for broader engagement, consider using it to share insights on PTSD and political discourse.

This week offers us the chance to reflect—not just on PTSD and veteran care but on the nature of our political conversations. The future of our nation depends on fostering empathy, understanding, and constructive dialogue.

David Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.


Latest news

This 3D rendered image shows a central AI processing chip sitting atop a glowing blue printed circuit board.
Media & Technology

There’s No Easy Path Through the AI Transition

A Hollow Song for a Hollow Patriotism: Reclaiming the Real Patriotic Ballads
Pop Culture

A Hollow Song for a Hollow Patriotism: Reclaiming the Real Patriotic Ballads

A Night at Chase Field Revealed a Different America
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Night at Chase Field Revealed a Different America

Read More

How Red and Blue America Can Stay Together by Pulling Apart

United States Marine Corps Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II STOVL stealth multirole fighters belonging to the VMFA-121 "Green Knights" taxiing at the MCAS Iwakuni in Yamaguchi, Japan, on March 23, 2017.

(viper-zero / Getty Images)

How Red and Blue America Can Stay Together by Pulling Apart

In earlier essays, I argued that America’s political division has grown so deep that a peaceful “American Union” of two sovereign nations — one broadly red, one broadly blue — is worth considering. I also argued that relocation fears are overstated, that cooperation could increase economic prosperity, and that separation could help heal the lingering wounds of the Civil War.

But how would this all actually work? What happens to the national debt? Who gets the military bases, federal lands, and nuclear weapons? Will Social Security be protected? Could two nations share the dollar, defend themselves together, and resolve their disagreements?

Keep ReadingShow less
Rear view of teenage boy walking with arm around friends

Why many young men feel politically and socially adrift, how changing gender roles affect masculinity, self-esteem, relationships, and the future of society.

Maskot / Getty Images

Lost Boys - What Is the Role of a Man in Today's Society?

A recent New York Times article stated that young males who provided an important swing vote for Trump in 2024 are discouraged by what Trump has done and not done while in office. But they are nevertheless not particularly inclined to vote Democratic because they don't see the Party as welcoming their view of masculinity and they don't know where they fit in this society.

These young men assume that because the Party supports equality for women in the workplace and because many young women no longer have marriage and having children at the top of their agenda, the Party would not be a welcoming home for them. They see themselves as striving for the masculinity of their fathers' or grandfathers' day, where the man was the breadwinner in the family and had respect and authority. Not the weaker half in relationships with women.

Keep ReadingShow less
Showing Up and Staying: Disaster Relief in an Age of Distrust

NECHAMA volunteers in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

Showing Up and Staying: Disaster Relief in an Age of Distrust

As the Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, disaster response organizations across the country are preparing for the next storm. That preparation includes coordinating logistics, purchasing supplies, training volunteers, and strengthening partnerships. It now also requires planning for an environment shaped by misinformation, distrust, and competing narratives.

A recent 60 Minutes segment examining extremist groups in disaster zones highlighted how quickly public perceptions can form after a disaster. Recovery efforts are now followed by outside groups and online networks attempting to influence how events are understood while communities are still in crisis.

Keep ReadingShow less
The USMNT’s World Cup Win Is a Reminder of the America We Still Can Be

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Chris Richards #3 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

(Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)

The USMNT’s World Cup Win Is a Reminder of the America We Still Can Be

LOS ANGELES, CA — The United States Men’s National Team opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding 4–1 victory over Paraguay, a performance that electrified fans across the country and reminded us — if only for a night — of the power of coming together. Folarin Balogun, and Gio Reyna delivered the goals, but the real story was the team itself: a roster whose roots stretch across Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe. The USMNT is more than a soccer team. It is a living portrait of the multicultural nation we are, and the nation we still aspire to be.

That matters now more than ever. We are living through one of the most politically polarized moments in modern American history. The Trump administration has been widely criticized by civil rights groups and international organizations for policies that restrict entry into the United States for certain foreign nationals — policies that have even affected fans and FIFA referees attempting to enter the country for the World Cup. When a global celebration of unity is taking place on our soil, it is painful to see barriers erected that keep some of the world’s people out.

Keep ReadingShow less
© Copyright 2026