Actively Serving Military & Veterans
Asking For Help is NEVER a Sign of Weakness
Asking For Help is NEVER a Sign of Weakness
Asking For Help is NEVER a Sign of Weakness
As either a current member of the military or a veteran, you most likely have heard sayings like “suck it up,” “get over it,” “they’re faking it to get out of XYZ,” “welcome to the suck,” amongst numerous other quips when talking about mental health issues. For years a stigma surrounding mental health in the military has existed. Many ser
As either a current member of the military or a veteran, you most likely have heard sayings like “suck it up,” “get over it,” “they’re faking it to get out of XYZ,” “welcome to the suck,” amongst numerous other quips when talking about mental health issues. For years a stigma surrounding mental health in the military has existed. Many serving kept mental health issues to themselves for fear of being chastised, being placed on light duty, being placed on the “DO NOT ARM” list, or even being kicked out. You dealt with these issues by yourself to the best of your ability. Often times self-medicating just to get by. Well, you are not alone.
Approximately, 11 - 30% of veterans who have served in OIF/OEF, Gulf War, and Vietnam have developed some form of post-traumatic stress. While each veteran’s case is unique to them, certain risk factors may predispose them to psychological injury, these include: serving as a combat veteran, a familial history of addiction, a familial history of physical and/or sexual abuse, and surviving sexual assault either before, during, and/or after serving.
If you suffer from psychological injury due to traumatic experiences, you may find it difficult to process this experience, which often leads to becoming triggered by various persons, places, thoughts, and/or things. Without being able to properly cope with these triggers, you may have turned to abusing drugs or alcohol. In this way, substance abuse and mental health issues create a vicious cycle for you and the only way out is through a dual diagnosis approach to treatment.
Harmonia Wellness offers PTSD treatment for veterans in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, specializing in therapy for military sexual trauma and combat trauma. If you or someone you know is suffering due to past experiences, give me a call and let's get your healing started!
Veterans helping Veterans
Asking For Help is NEVER a Sign of Weakness
Asking For Help is NEVER a Sign of Weakness
One of the most effective forms of assistance for former military members may be vets helping vets, and for good reason. Military service fosters a sense of camaraderie and trust between service members that usually continues even after the military service is complete. Veterans may also be highly motivated to help a brother or sister in
One of the most effective forms of assistance for former military members may be vets helping vets, and for good reason. Military service fosters a sense of camaraderie and trust between service members that usually continues even after the military service is complete. Veterans may also be highly motivated to help a brother or sister in arms and to go above and beyond to assist because of this bond.
One of the biggest benefits of vets helping vets is a better understanding of what the veteran is going through, whether it is PTSD, financial difficulties due to service-related injuries, or problems obtaining the benefits that veterans may be entitled to.
While civilians may want to help and give back, it is often more effective to have vets helping vets because of the trust and bonding that is established by shared military service. Someone who is not familiar with combat situations and other common experiences that veterans go through may not be as beneficial in helping because of a lack of trust.
As a veteran, I understand how difficult it can be to open up to someone who hasn't had similar life experiences. The importance of having someone who has been there and done that, and has a level of personal experience fosters true empathy that cannot be taught or faked.