Collective resource for organizations and media assembled by Freespira to provide a learning advantage to better understanding of a widely misunderstood disorder
KIRKLAND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Freespira, Inc., developer of the only FDA-cleared, at-home treatment for panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, today announced the formation of its PTSD Awareness Council. With members ranging from providers and patients to partners and industry representatives, Freespira’s PTSD Awareness Council is designed to provide a collective resource to organizations and media looking to understand post-traumatic stress disorder from every perspective.
Given the growing discussion surrounding trauma and the need for greater awareness about PTSD, Freespira is often tapped to provide condition-specific insights and educational resources. The PTSD Awareness Council offers a directory of individual sources that will make PTSD expertise more accessible to media and other groups.
“PTSD is a term that is widely used, but there remains a huge gap in understanding whom it impacts. It’s not just combat-related,” said Joseph Perekupka, CEO of Freespira. “Trauma, including accidents, illness, assault, or natural disasters, will impact approximately 70% of us in our lifetime. Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, but knowing the risks and symptoms of PTSD will help individuals know if they are suffering from this challenging condition and seek treatment. Early diagnosis and intervention can mean the difference between a life of peace and a life of fear.”
“In over a decade at Freespira, we’ve had the good fortune to learn from many individuals involved in every aspect of this debilitating disorder,” said Simon Thomas, president and COO of Freespira.
The PTSD Awareness Council has been formed to provide easy access to individuals with experience in all aspects of the condition. The council’s initial cohort features 9 members with a diverse range of expertise:
Innovators
1.
Joseph Perekupka, CEO, Freespira – Health tech executive helping patients overcome the challenges of accessing care by providing a non-medication at-home treatment for PTSD symptoms.
2.
Dr. Aron Tendler, CMO, GrayMatters Health – Board Certified Psychiatrist and health tech executive who specializes in clinical research and development of non-invasive neurostimulation and neurofeedback treatments for mental health disorders, including PTSD.
Care Providers
3.
Robert Cuyler, PhD – Practicing clinical psychologist based in Houston specializing in PTSD, Chief Clinical Officer at Freespira, and PTSD columnist for veteran-focused Homeland Magazine.
4.
Malika Closson, M.D. – Double board certified adult and child & adolescent psychiatrist with expertise treating underserved communities. She has extensive experience in clinical practice dealing with trauma and the adolescent community.
5.
Lisa Northway – The only female family life chaplain serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, Lisa has provided compassionate care to soldiers globally, including tours of duty in Kuwait, Iraq and Europe; in addition to being a care provider. She suffers from PTSD as a result of her service and continues faithfully engaging any unhelpful triggers to combat for her own wellness while advocating for the military community at large.
6.
Natasha Dickerson-Amaya – Licensed professional counselor, published academic on the subject of intimate partner violence’s impact on men’s mental health, and Freespira care coach.
Patients
7.
Scott Schaffer – A military veteran and retired professional kickboxer who has lived with the trauma of both his active service and the pressures and dangers inherent in competitive sport.
8.
Mike Fahey – A former broadcast news producer for local NBC, CBS, and FOX affiliates, Mike was exposed to traumatic imagery and information on a daily basis while also knowing his news teams could be put in harm’s way while reporting from hostile situations.
9.
Doug Bartlett – A survivor of a home accident involving a chainsaw that led to a lengthy recovery time and ongoing PTSD frequently triggered by encountering rooms, lights, and sounds associated with the incident.
Additionally, Freespira’s PTSD Awareness Council is set to welcome new voices by regularly adding new members. An adjacent effort, a PTSD Resource Center, will launch in late summer and provide Council-vetted and validated PTSD educational materials in a single online hub.
Reporters and organizations working on relevant stories who would like to leverage the expertise of PTSD Awareness Council members can reach out to [email protected] for more information.
About Freespira, Inc.
Freespira, Inc. is a leading innovator in mental health treatment and the developer of the leading FDA-cleared digital therapeutic for panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Over the past decade, Freespira has been dedicated to transforming the lives of those struggling with panic disorder and PTSD by offering personalized and accessible care through advanced technology. Recognized as one of the top 10 most innovative medical device companies by Fast Company, Freespira’s at-home treatment addresses the underlying physiological cause of panic attacks and PTSD symptoms, empowering patients to visualize and regulate their breathing patterns in 28 days. The company is committed to breaking down barriers to mental health treatment, such as lack of providers, long wait times for appointments, and the stigma associated with seeking help. For more information, visit freespira.com.
Contacts
Media contact:
[email protected]