June brings us two important observances: PTSD Awareness Month and Pride Month. While these may seem like separate focuses, they intersect in powerful ways when we consider the importance of trauma-informed, inclusive mental health support. This month offers an opportunity to examine how creating safe, affirming spaces for all individuals can foster healing and resilience.
Research consistently shows that trauma affects different communities in unique ways. For veterans and service members, combat experiences can lead to PTSD that requires specialized support. Similarly, LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of trauma and mental health challenges, not because of their identities, but due to discrimination, rejection, and lack of acceptance they may face. The Trevor Project’s 2025 National Survey reveals that LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those in unaccepting environments.
In recognition of these dual observances, we’re sharing our five favorite trauma-informed, inclusive approaches to mental health support that can benefit everyone, regardless of their specific experiences.
Ways to Take Action
1. Understand Different Trauma Responses Across Communities
Trauma doesn’t look the same for everyone. Cultural background, personal history, and community experiences all shape how individuals respond to and process traumatic events. For veterans, trauma responses might include hypervigilance, flashbacks, or difficulty in environments that trigger combat memories. For LGBTQ+ individuals, trauma might manifest as heightened anxiety in spaces where they’ve previously experienced rejection.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (2023) has found that trauma-informed care must be culturally responsive to be effective. Similarly, research with LGBTQ+ communities shows that approaches acknowledging minority stress and community-specific challenges significantly improve outcomes (Meyer & Frost, 2023).
Understanding these nuances isn’t just about professional care—it’s vital for friends, family members, and community leaders seeking to create supportive environments.
Action step: Educate yourself about trauma responses in different communities. Resources like the National Center for PTSD and The Trevor Project offer free educational materials about trauma in specific populations. Take time to learn about experiences different from your own.
2. Create Safe Spaces That Affirm All Identities and Experiences
Safe spaces are environments where people feel they can express their authentic selves without fear of judgment or rejection. For trauma healing, these spaces are essential—they allow individuals to process difficult experiences at their own pace, with appropriate support.
Research by Herman (2020) identifies three key elements of trauma recovery: establishing safety, remembrance and mourning, and reconnection. The first step—safety—cannot be achieved if individuals feel their identities or experiences are being judged or invalidated.
For veterans, this might mean spaces where military experiences are understood and respected. For LGBTQ+ individuals, it means environments where their identities are affirmed rather than questioned. For everyone, it means consistent respect and a genuine commitment to understanding.
Action step: Evaluate the spaces you influence—whether your home, workplace, classroom, or community group. Ask: Do the language, policies, and practices here make everyone feel welcome and affirmed? Make one concrete change to increase inclusivity, such as adding pronouns to introductions or reviewing language used in communications.
3. Build Community-Based Support Networks
Isolation often accompanies trauma, yet connection is crucial for healing. Community support networks provide validation, understanding, and practical assistance that complement professional care.
A groundbreaking study by McCallie et al. (2021) found that veterans with strong community support showed 40% better PTSD treatment outcomes than those without such networks. Similarly, research with LGBTQ+ populations demonstrates that community connectedness serves as a powerful protective factor against mental health challenges (Frost et al., 2022).
Community doesn’t always mean large groups—sometimes it’s just a few understanding individuals who create a network of safety and belonging.
Action step: Find or build a small support network focused on shared experiences. This could be a veterans’ group, an LGBTQ+ community organization, or any gathering that centers mutual support. If such groups don’t exist in your area, online communities can provide similar benefits. Consider initiating a monthly coffee meeting or virtual check-in with others who share similar experiences.
4. Practice Trauma-Informed Communication
The way we communicate can either support healing or inadvertently reinforce trauma. Trauma-informed communication recognizes that certain words, tones, or approaches might trigger trauma responses, and adjusts accordingly.
The ENUF Principle—Empathy, No judgment, Unconditional support, and validating Feelings—provides an excellent framework for trauma-informed communication. This approach is particularly valuable when supporting individuals from communities that frequently experience invalidation.
Research by Brown (2022) found that trauma-informed communication substantially improved trust in therapeutic relationships for both veterans and LGBTQ+ individuals who had previously avoided seeking help due to fear of misunderstanding.
Action step: Practice active listening without immediately trying to solve problems. When someone shares a difficult experience, try responses like “That sounds really challenging” rather than “Have you tried…” Remember that for many trauma survivors, being truly heard is the first step toward healing.
5. Advocate for Accessible, Inclusive Mental Health Resources
Despite growing awareness, significant barriers to mental health care persist, particularly for veterans and LGBTQ+ individuals. Geographic limitations, cost, and lack of culturally competent providers prevent many from accessing the support they need.
According to the Mental Health America (2024) report, only 45% of LGBTQ+ adults with mental health conditions received treatment in the past year. Similarly, the VA reports that while more veterans are seeking mental health care than ever before, rural veterans and those from underrepresented groups still face substantial access challenges.
Advocating for better resources isn’t just about helping others—it’s about creating communities where everyone can thrive.
Action step: Support organizations working to expand mental health access, particularly those focusing on underserved communities. This could mean donating, volunteering, or simply sharing information about available resources. Contact elected representatives to advocate for policies that improve mental health coverage and increase funding for targeted programs.
As we observe both PTSD Awareness Month and Pride Month this June, remember that healing is not one-size-fits-all, but it is also never a journey anyone should walk alone. By implementing these trauma-informed, inclusive approaches, we can create communities where everyone feels supported in their healing journey.
Whether you’re someone seeking support or looking to be a better ally, these strategies can help create environments where authentic healing becomes possible. After all, true resilience doesn’t develop in isolation—it grows in communities that honor our differences while recognizing our shared humanity.
What strategies have you found helpful in creating trauma-informed, inclusive spaces? Share in the comments below.
Remember: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit their website for online chat options.
