Erase PTSD Now launches national trauma care survey

Erase PTSD Now has launched a national survey to find gaps in trauma treatment access and identify underserved groups, barriers and partnership opportunities. The nonprofit wants input from people with lived experience, providers and organizations as it works to expand referrals, education and treatment access.

Why it matters: - Trauma care access is still blocked by cost, insurance, geography and wait times for many people seeking help. - The survey is designed to show which groups are still being missed and where referral systems break down. - The findings could shape future outreach, partnerships and treatment-access efforts across the U.S.

What happened: - Erase PTSD Now launched a national survey aimed at people affected by trauma, professionals and organizations working in the field. - The nonprofit is asking for input from individuals with lived experience, veterans, first responders, survivor advocates, mental health and medical professionals, nonprofits and other community groups. - The survey takes about three to five minutes to complete. - Organizations can also explore partnership opportunities at partner information.

The details: - The survey asks about barriers to care, including affordability, insurance coverage, geographic availability, transportation, wait times, awareness of treatment options, referral pathways and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. - Participants are also being asked which populations remain underserved. - The survey asks whether respondents know about Stellate Ganglion Block, or SGB, as a treatment being studied and used for symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress. - The survey also asks whether respondents know where to direct someone looking for treatment options beyond traditional therapy or medication. - Survey results will be reviewed in aggregate. - Erase PTSD Now plans to use the findings to identify unmet needs, strengthen referral pathways and guide education, outreach, partnerships and treatment-access initiatives. - Participation does not require an organization to provide SGB or endorse any specific treatment. - The partnership push is open to nonprofits, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, veterans' organizations, first responder organizations and other community groups. - Potential collaboration areas include referrals, education, community outreach, awareness initiatives, research and data collaboration, and identifying underserved populations.

Between the lines: - The initiative reflects a shift from serving people who already find Erase PTSD Now toward identifying the people and communities not yet reached. - The survey also gives the organization a way to map where access problems are happening instead of relying only on existing treatment journeys. - Coleen LaCosta, executive director of Erase PTSD Now, said the survey is meant to understand who is not being reached, where people are getting stuck and what other organizations are seeing in their communities. - Since October 2020, Erase PTSD Now has facilitated access to more than 1,900 procedures for over 1,400 individuals and invested more than $2.4 million in treatment access. - Erase PTSD Now mainly supports people who are uninsured, underinsured or face other financial barriers. - The nonprofit has worked with veterans, first responders, survivors of sexual and domestic violence, people affected by childhood trauma, exonerees and others seeking post-traumatic stress treatment options.

What's next: - Erase PTSD Now is encouraging individuals affected by trauma, family members, caregivers, professionals and organizations to take the survey. - The organization is also looking for partners that can help with referrals, outreach, research and awareness. - The survey results are expected to inform future education and access efforts.

The bottom line: - Erase PTSD Now is trying to move from helping individuals one by one to building a broader map of where trauma care access is breaking down and where partnerships could fill the gaps.