Sojourn Counseling, which specializes in PTSD and trauma recovery, is hosting its annual awareness event Run, Ride & Rumble on June 8.
The 5k, road cycling (45, 23, or 6 miles) and 1.5-hour motorcycle ride will begin at Cahaba Brewing at 7 a.m.
Last year's event raised $115,000 to help people get the mental health care they need. The service is available to anyone regardless of their ability to pay.
Sojourn Director Beau Armistead told 1819 News the event is important for two reasons. It is the non-profit's only fundraiser and helps spread the word about help available.
"This event is really important to us because, one, we need the money to continue doing what we're doing, and also, it's a fun day and a fun way to get the word out about PTSD awareness and education, which obviously is very important to what we do," Armistead said. "So many people in our community and everywhere are living with post-traumatic stress and sometimes don't know it themselves, even sometimes don't know it for their loved ones. If they do know it, they may not have a great understanding of it."
Armistead said he wants people to know they do not have to live with the impact of PTSD and there is help available.
"We can help anybody who is living the effects of trauma, whether they've been diagnosed with PTSD or not," he added. "We utilize therapies, EMDR therapy, brain spotting and microcurrent neurofeedback are kind of some of our main trauma treatment modalities. All are very effective in treating trauma. And so yeah, we work with anyone who's got a history of trauma that can be trauma from abuse or rape or combat or accidents or work-related, like first responders, police, fire."
Thanks to a grant from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Sojourn Serves now offers neurofeedback services to veterans at no charge. The service uses a Sprinter van to serve those in rural areas.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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