Exercise has been proven to help improve and prevent a variety of physical health issues, but can it really improve your mental health? We will explore this connection and feature some tips to get started…
Routine stressors and anxiety triggers like vehicle accidents, car stops, department politics and any other number of prolific tragic scenarios can wear down even the most resilient police officer or first responder. Find out how to spot cumulative PTSD and how to help create healthy coping mechanisms.
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…
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…
Warrior (n): a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage or aggressiveness. Courage through Trauma (n): a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. It had been over five years since *Marc slept peacefully for more than one night at a time. The knowledge of the inevitable flashbacks of what he’d experienced during is seven…
Spouses; “We have a saying in our family, ‘Those who fight the monster, should never become the monster(addiction).’ After his last deployment, something was different – he brought the monster home.” Alexis O’Donnell* recalls the moment she first realized she no longer recognized the man she had been married to for over 20 years. The…
Sasha Ricks Controller Sasha was born in Houston and has lived in the area for most of her life. With over 24 years of experience in finance, she has worked her way up from a finance clerk to her current position as Controller, attributing her growth and success to the motivation and support of her…
Tabitha Collazo-Jones Client Relations Tabitha grew up in Conover, North Carolina, where she lived for fifteen years, after her parents divorced the summer before her sophomore year of high school in 2016, she found herself in the backroads of Caroline County, where she graduated from Caroline high in 2019. Tabitha started working after she graduated…
Damon Gray Operations Director Damon Gray is a proud father to his daughter and finds immense joy in spending days at the softball field, watching her pitch with enthusiasm. Apart from his love for softball, Damon also enjoys fishing, cherishes spending quality time with his family, and relishes moments at the beach. He has a…
Chris Biddix Dual Clinician I have completed a decorated military career and have time and again been successful developing long-lasting relationships between customers and defense contractors for many years as a business development manager. However, neither of these careers has impacted me as much as working with those dealing with addiction and mental health issues.…
Justin Young Admission Advocate Originally from Denver, Colorado, and raised in the eastern part of the state, Justin brings a diverse background in Fire/EMS and corrections to our team. In his spare time, Justin enjoys medieval reenactment with full-contact combat, playing video games, and spending quality time with friends and family. He is deeply committed…
Darienne Peters Client Relations Darienne was born in Charleston, West Virginia. She graduated from Capital High School, where she found a love for the theatre and the performing arts, which has transformed her into the fun loving, silly, bubbly person that she is today. She lived in Charleston for 18 years before moving to Fairmont,…
Bob Schwartz Transportation Bob was born and raised here in Virginia in the Richmond area. He is a retired LEO with 45 years of service in the profession. He is married to Mary, his wife of 43 years. They have three children, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Bob and his family live here in…
Leslie Ramirez LCDC-Intern Leslie was born in southern California, but has lived in Texas majority of her life and calls Texas home. Leslie earned her AA from Northwest Vista, BA in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Texas-San Antonio, and is currently a graduate student at Texas A&M-San Antonio. Leslie is…
