05/31/2026
Although there are no definitive statistics about the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the U.S., the National Center for PTSD has found that about 5% of the population has PTSD in any given year. In San Antonio, that number is higher due to our large military population. Nicknamed “Military City USA,” San Antonio is home to 160,000 veterans and more than 80,000 active-duty service members.
Thankfully, San Antonio boasts a wealth of support for individuals with PTSD. A generally effective component of treatment, trauma-focused talk therapy is offered free of charge through several local organizations including the Military Veteran Peer Network, the Warrior Group, the San Antonio Vet Center, and the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The online database and Employ 210 partner San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD) also maintains listings for various support outlets, including the PTSD Foundation of America, which runs the 24/7 Combat Trauma Help Line at (877) 717-7873.
UT Health San Antonio is also dedicated to addressing PTSD and other veteran issues. In April, the university reported a breakthrough that significantly reduces symptoms for PTSD victims. During a monthlong study, researchers complemented psychotherapy with a patented MRI-guided, robotic-controlled form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMI) and found that 85% of recipients experienced symptom reductions significant enough to improve quality of life.
Another valuable resource, UTSA’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs supports students in many ways and also hosts Coffee with Vets — a monthly program that takes place every second Wednesday in UTSA’s Veterans Lounge.
But PTSD isn’t bound by military issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD in any form, help is available at no cost through the UTSA Sarabia Family Counseling Center and around the clock via the National Institute of Mental Health’s crisis hotline, which can be accessed by calling or texting 988.
Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.