In recognition of PTSD Awareness Month, this online discussion group was created as a space for thoughtful conversation, critical analysis, and collective reflection on the role of media in shaping our understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

PTSD is a complex and deeply personal condition, yet its representation in the media is often oversimplified, sensationalized, or wrapped in stigma. From blockbuster films and gritty crime dramas to memoirs, news coverage, and even social media storytelling, the ways in which trauma and healing are portrayed have a profound impact—not only on public perception but on the lived experiences of survivors.

In this group, we’ll explore questions like:

• How are trauma survivors depicted in film and television?

• What harmful tropes or stereotypes continue to persist—and why?

• Can media be a tool for empathy and advocacy?

• Where is the line between awareness and exploitation?

• Whose voices are being elevated, and whose are still missing?

This space welcomes all—whether you live with PTSD, support someone who does, work in mental health, are a creator in the media arts, or are simply interested in learning more. We believe that honest dialogue can dismantle stigma, empower survivors, and pave the way for more compassionate, nuanced storytelling.

Let’s come together to examine the stories that shape us—and begin telling new ones.