SOLVE
Saving
Our
Lives
About SOLVE teenptsd.org
When most people think of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), they think of people who experience traumas—like violence, abuse, or an injury— themselves. However, children can also develop symptoms of PTSD when a parent or sibling suffers through tremendous traumatic events, illness, disease or injury. Unfortunately, doctors do not routinely screen these children for PTSD despite expert recommendations and symptoms are often missed.
As the son of a survivor who was catastrophically wounded in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, I know what it is like to suffer and not understand why, and when most attention is focused on the person acutely affected. Informed by the research, scholarly literature and my own experience, I offer this site as a place for young people to learn about the potential psychological effects on children whose parent(s) or sibling are injured, suffering chronic illness or disease, addiction, or psychological disturbances. I also offer this site as place where young people can find comfort, and understand that they are not alone. SOLVE is a place to learn about how PTSD may originate through a multitude of traumas, and most importantly, SOLVE looks to direct teens to sources where they can better understand why they may be suffering and where to get the right kind of help. My hope is that through SOLVE we can help mitigate the impact of PTSD on teens while, empowering them to better self advocate and advance their quests to (re)claim lives filled with healing and happiness.
Great and positive change happens every day.
Get to know me
TBD Advisor
Title
Tyler Manning Founder
I’m a proud graduate of Trinity College May 2024, I have since been working at a start up in the consumer privacy space, BuildEgo.com and this past spring, I began working in Washington, D.C. Like many of you, I’ve traveled a sometimes poorly marked long road. Whether you’re just starting your journey or nearing the end of just one of many, I’m cheering you on.
I’m a brother, a friend, a coworker—and the son of a 9/11 survivor. I was just 10 months old when terrorists struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing 2,977 people and injuring thousands more. My mother was at the Trade Center during both the 1993 bombing and during the 2001 attacks, she was catastrophically wounded. In the decades since, I’ve witnessed her painful, and always courageous recovery. It is a blessing to still have her, but her long-term healing deeply shaped our family’s lives.
Growing up, many people—especially professionals—told me I was “lucky.” There was little space for anything beyond gratitude. The children of catastrophically injured survivors often fall through the cracks, as I did. There was almost no research focused on our experience. Delayed diagnosis, misinterpretation of symptoms, and a lack of adequate screening assessments meant I struggled for years before learning I was living with a latent PTSD.
This personal journey led me to found Saving Our Lives, SOLVE—a project designed to let other teens facing similar trauma know they’re not alone, and that help is available.
SOLVE includes my own research findings, practical PTSD resources, and information on care options. My goal is to help prevent misdiagnosis and shine a light on a subgroup of young people often overlooked: those facing extreme family trauma from terrorism, illness, family addiction, or loss. These experiences can leave a lasting mark, increasing the risk of mental health challenges, addiction, or setbacks in school, work, and relationships.
Under the guidance of a trauma and suicide prevention specialist from a leading university, I conducted research to explore why children of seriously ill or injured parents are rarely screened for PTSD. I’ve continued to advocate for more thoughtful evaluation, early detection, and meaningful support.
Through SOLVE's presence, our aim has been to provide an inclusive, welcoming space where young people can get information, connect and most of all know they are not alone! SOLVE has been designed to be both supportive and social—where peers and professionals can reach out, share stories, healing journeys, and hope.
