Archives Unlocked: June is PTSD Awareness Month

In recognition of PTSD Awareness Month, Jefferson archivist Michael Angelo explores the historical roots of trauma-related diagnoses—tracing them back to Jefferson physician Jacob Mendez Da Costa, MD 1852, who first documented what we now know as PTSD during the Civil War. From Da Costa’s 1864 study of “Irritable Heart” in soldiers to Jefferson’s ongoing commitment to trauma-informed care for today’s veterans, this video highlights the evolution of medical understanding and compassionate treatment for those affected by psychological trauma.