In 2010, PTSD day was established on June 27th, with June becoming PTSD awareness month in 2014. Many of our blogs and resources explore PTSD in relation to the primary victim, however, it is also important to remember that those effects ripple out into the PTSD sufferer’s network of friends, family and professional support.
Shifting from military life can be a delicate transition, especially if you served for many years or have retired for medical reasons. It is during this time that many veterans find themselves at a crossroads which can lead them down a path of health and success, or a route to addiction and self-destruction. The choices made at the beginning of this journey will create the foundation of that path, which is why it is so crucial to be properly educated on the hurdles, pitfalls and support resources that await.
For those struggling with depression, it can sometimes be helpful to undertake projects that assist you in clearing your mind and centering your life. Here’s why do-it-yourself projects for depression management can go a long way.
For those locked in the cycle of addiction, the urge to rely on alcohol can come at any time of day. This can include the end of the day, when some people use alcohol as a sleep aid. The relationship between alcohol and sleep is a delicate one, and for those who aren’t careful, the abuse of this relationship can lead to unhealthy habits and unhealthy, fitful sleep.
Veterans of armed conflict are overloaded with stimuli, and it takes a heavy toll on the mind. “Combat stress” is a blanket term used to describe behavioral disruptions experienced as a direct result of exposure to warfare. If left unresolved, these reactions can culminate in dangerous patterns of post-traumatic stress and addiction.
How to Maintain Healthy Boundaries with Clients Understanding boundaries is an important step to achieving physical and emotional health. They can empower you, protect your self-esteem, and lead to healthy relationships in your personal and professional life. Boundaries are limits or rules that help us understand what is safe and permissible, when dealing with other…
Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is often unfairly perceived as just “feeling down” during the the times of year when temperatures drop and the days grow shorter. But in reality, it is a subset of clinical depression that has been long been observed by mental health professionals, making its first appearance in scientific literature in the mid-19th century.
While the holiday season can be a time that many people look forward to, it can be an especially trying time for those who struggle to stay sober. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll run into drug or alcohol-related influences at social gatherings. It may seem like a no-win situation, but don’t despair.
K9s: Providing Service While Saving Lives “Going to the movies was the worst: the crowds, the dark, the crackling of popcorn and wrappers….the whispering. I was constantly waiting, watching to spot who was the enemy,” recalls Dennis Bradford, a 39-year-old former Army Ranger from Atlanta, Ga. Discharged in 2008 after serving his last deployment in…
Healing with PTS? Throughout the year, those who have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or Post post-traumatic stress (PTS) tend to feel elevated levels of anxiousness due to varying levels of pressures or stress; loud parties, fireworks, the over-indulgent family members, relationships, jobs, even a shopping trip can trigger someone. Whether out and about, gathering…
Welcome Home Warriors Warriors – At the end of each deployment, Chris* always came home. He would call often when deployed, and make sure he always knew what the winning score of the volleyball game his daughter had played in was. He was always, “there,” until he wasn’t. During his last deployment, which proved to…
Post-Traumatic Stress – “I couldn’t tell you the last time we looked one another in the eye, said ‘I love you’ and meant it,” recalls *Jesse, a former Marine. “When we divorced, I thought that was it – then I went on my last deployment, came home, and needed someone. She was someone I knew…
Trauma and PTSD – Through Their Eyes Trauma? Noah Kelley*, a 4th generation law enforcement officer and first responder, had seen it all; from the evilest domestic assaults, to burned bodies and Hollywood-worthy car accidents. A seasoned veteran of the curveballs the job would offer daily, he felt he could handle anything. “We received a…
A Wellness Officer’s Perspective – Members of the first responder community, have a mission to protect and serve the lives of those who are placed in harm’s way. The immeasurable pressure to remain composed and diplomatic in moments of extreme stress can be too difficult for the average person to bear. Law enforcement is a…
Female Warrior – “Birthday parties are the worst,” recalls Sarah, a retired Army Captain having served for 15 years in the National Guard, Reserves and on active duty. “When I was in the military, I grew accustomed to not being the only person in the room who looked like me. Now I’m the only mom…
Team Work – We all remember where we were on 9/11. Most of us, watched in complete helplessness as the twin towers fell. Overwhelming emotions echoed throughout the country, and the rest of the world. We felt angry, anxious, fearful and sad. But for Chad*, a now retired member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the memories tell…
Haley Lannon Special Operations intern Haley Lannon grew up surrounded by treatment centers, gaining a deep understanding of the field from an early age. She often went into the treatment centers with her parents getting immersed in the culture and learning about sobriety. She attended high school in Bandera where she was on the Track…
Devin Duarte Special Operations intern Devin Duarte was born in Glendale, Arizona on June 2nd, 1999. At the age of 2 he moved to northern Arizona to a rural town called Strawberry. He has two brothers, one older brother and one younger. Devin and his brothers have a great relationship spending time playing video games…
Stephanie Heyen Client Relations Stephanie Heyen is a US Navy Veteran, who suffers from Alcoholism and Addiction, as well as, PTSD, MST, Depression and Anxiety. She faced a tough childhood, coming from a family background deeply affected by alcoholism, addiction, and mental health issues on both sides. Her journey to overcome these challenges has been…
Rosalyn Wallace RN My name is Rosalyn, and I’ve been a nurse since 2008. Nursing became my second career after working at Capital One, where I seized the opportunity to pursue my true passion for helping others through their tuition reimbursement program after a round of layoffs. I am a single mom of two boys,…
Danielle Bouy RN Danielle is a native of South Louisiana who relocated to Virginia in 2000. While Virginia is home now, she will always be Cajun and her deep family ties and heritage permeate her core. She graduated from University of Louisiana at Lafayette and went on to practice nursing in many different roles. Her…
Natalya Stadler Nurse Practitioner Natalya Stadler is a board-certified multilingual Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of inpatient and outpatient clinical experience, including substance abuse, surgical first assist, acute care, primary care, and orthopedics. In 2014, she obtained a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of…
Bryan Mathis Client Relations Bryan was born in Fort Worth, Tx and raised in San Antonio, Tx. He has a passion for dogs has two of his own and takes care of other peoples dogs. My Why: I worked as a machinist for many years after I retired I moved to Bandera, Tx. I…
Malayna Floyd Client Relations Malayna was born in Gainesville Florida on January 19, 2005. Her family two years later moved to Bandera Tx and have been there since. Growing up Malayna has always had a fascination with people, insightful on how they behaved and acted, this would later become one of her main cores. She loves…
