Council proclaims June PTSD Awareness Month; veterans groups urge outreach and peer support

The South Gate City Council issued a proclamation declaring June 2025 as National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month and heard presentations from county veterans-service representatives about local peer support and outreach.

Councilmember Hurtado read the proclamation and introduced representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Veteran Peer Access Network. Roberto (Roberto) Alvarez, representing the county department, and George Casillas of VPAN described peer support, wraparound services and a new South Gate rally-point office they say serves the district.

Speakers emphasized that PTSD affects veterans and civilians alike and encouraged residents to use counseling, peer support, VA claims assistance and employment resources offered locally. Casillas described the VPAN mission as centered on suicide prevention and peer outreach and invited residents and councilmembers to visit the local office to learn how the county and partners help veterans enroll in benefits and access vocational training.

Councilmembers thanked the visitors and discussed options to link the county office and veterans’ resources to the city website and outreach. No formal budget or contract action was taken at the meeting; representatives asked only that the city help publicize the office and the resources available to veterans and their families.