Laura Sellers’ Post

Here at Combat Stress, we recognise that difficult life events can result in self-criticism and strong feelings of anger and shame. Shame can cut us off from the support and understanding of other people, and it can become difficult to be compassionate towards ourselves. This may be particularly hard for veterans who have experienced trauma or moral injury during their military service. Click here to read about how we help veterans understand the effects of traumatic experiences and develop self-compassion skills: https://ow.ly/t8I650THAJ8 #compassion #compassionfocusedtherapy #veteranscharity

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the lives lost in combat and operational incidents, a tribute to their courage, dedication, and love for our country. As we pay our respects, it's crucial to acknowledge another stark and heartbreaking reality: since 2001, over 30,000 U.S. military members and veterans have died by suicide—significantly higher than the approximately 7,000 who have died in combat operations during the same period. Veterans face a suicide rate significantly higher than their civilian counterparts. The suicide rate for veterans is about 1.5 times that of non-veterans. This often silent crisis continues to affect our veterans and active-duty personnel, reminding us that the battle doesn't always end on the battlefield. Organizations like Patrol Base Abbate are stepping up to combat this crisis. Named in honor of Sergeant Matthew Abbate, a Marine who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism, Patrol Base Abbate provides a community for veterans to connect and support one another. Their mission is to create a space where veterans can find purpose, camaraderie, and the support needed to address mental health challenges. Mental health is just as vital as physical health, and it's time we break the stigma surrounding it. We must ensure that those who serve our nation receive the support and care they need, both during and after their service. To the families and friends of those we've lost to combat and suicide, our hearts are with you. We vow to honor their memory not just through remembrance, but through action. Let's commit to being there for our veterans, to listen, to support, and to advocate for comprehensive mental health care. Together, we can make a difference. Nate Boaz Thomas Schueman #MemorialDay #HonorTheFallen #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #SupportOurTroops

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.   As a Military and Veteran Community member, I have had far too many friends who are no longer with us. It is an unfortunate reality of the profession.   For years, it has been reported that the Veteran suicide rate was 22 a day. Many of us in the community have said that the number was probably half of the true number. Well, according to a report this year, the actual number is at least 40-44 veterans a day who die from suicide.   There is nothing worse than realizing how many lives we are losing to the battle at home compared to those lost in combat or training.   We need to make talking about what is going on with ourselves a normal part of the daily conversation. There is strength in being open about all of the things that we are fighting. Finding your team who you trust to let in is a process, but once you find them things start to change and get better.   The important thing to remember is that we are not alone in our battles and struggles.   #Suicide #SuicidePrevention #SuicideAwareness #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth #StrongerThanStigma #Veteran #Military   #BruceTalk

⚡️This is what it looks like when Executive Leaders come together with an unwaivered resolve to end the suicide epidemic among Veterans across the U.S. Represented here are the Veteran Service Alliance Members, a cohesive front bringing faith-based programs to Veterans like you and I. Personally, my life has been forever changed by a particular program known as the Be Resilient Clinic. As a prior combat infantryman and medical officer, my path was saturdated with the realities of suffering, chaos, pain, war and loss. Survivors guilt is real. The feeling as if what was done simply wasn't enough often plagues our community. How do we address all this? ▪️Simple answer— King Jesus. Approach? ▪️Holistic and comprehensive faith-based services backed by empirical data in keeping with evidence based practices. Therefore— 🇺🇸Today, we fight. 🇺🇸Today, we love. 🇺🇸Today, we live victoriously in community. Today, we offer our hearts and minds to Jesus, our Savior and friend and King. Let's join forces and be an unstoppable force for good! OUT. #VeteranSupport #WholeHealth #EndVeteranSuicide

#ICYMI, We share concerns from many experts & advocates following last week's #SCOTUS decision to strike down #JohnsonVGrantsPass. It will surely have devastating impacts on unhoused people in this country — many of whom also struggle with #foodinsecurity. Those who are unhoused are vulnerable in so many ways, which often includes struggling to put feed themselves and their families. Punishing people who struggle is anathema both our Jewish and American values. As our friends at @NCHVorg and @UCLA_Law pointed out, many of America’s #veterans who fought for our country will be impacted by this decision. They deserve support — not barriers or punishments — as they reintegrate into civilian life following military service. The #JohnsonVGrantsPass decision represents the cruelty towards & desire to stigmatize those most in need. It mirrors and emboldens rhetoric we see and hear every day, and it emboldens us to continue to fight for #veterans & all those who are struggling.

Today is National PTSD Awareness Day. This is a day to remember so many that suffer in silence with the invisible wounds of trauma. Did you know that over 69% of Veterans who take their own lives are over the age of 60? This is a protracted battle we are facing to fight for the lives of our loved ones. Wild Warrior Adventure exists to restore hope in the hearts of our Warriors. We believe it is all of our responsibilities, to include you, to support and pray for our Nation's Warriors, their families, and their communities. This is not a mission we take lightly as we know that there will always be a need to share that there is hope, there is healing, there is a bright future that is abundantly available. Take time today to pause and remember all who have given so much and continue to fight the good fight in each of there lives every day. If you are a Warrior and you are struggling with the effects of war and trauma, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone you can confide in. A friend, a family member, a counselor, a mentor...anyone you can trust with your burden. Do NOT fight alone! If you can not get ahold of someone and you need immediate help, reach out the the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255. To Chat Online: https://lnkd.in/edmRpiyz . . . #ptsdawarenessday #ptsd #mentalhealth #neverfightalone #wwa #wildwarrioradventure #warriors #veterans #military #faith #hope #love #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #healing #outdoors #flyfishing #mission #purpose #identity

Over 35% of veterans are battling arthritis, making it a major health concern within the military community. From traumatic injuries to overuse, the physical demands of military service can contribute to this debilitating condition. But here’s the good news: The VA offers disability benefits to veterans with arthritis. And there are plenty of resources to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. So, if you're a veteran suffering from arthritis, don't hesitate to file a claim. Your service deserves recognition. Mention a fellow veteran who needs to know this! #awareness #veteransupport #militaryveterans

Honoring Our Armed Forces: A Memorial Day Reflection on Mental Health 🌟 This Memorial Day, as we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, let us also celebrate and support our current armed forces members and veterans. Their dedication and resilience are awe-inspiring, and their mental health is paramount. Military service demands immense physical and psychological strength. Our servicemen and women often face unique stressors, from prolonged deployments to the challenges of reintegration into civilian life. Prioritizing mental health for these heroes is essential. Let's commit to: - Raising awareness about the mental health challenges they may face. - Providing robust support systems and resources. - Encouraging open conversations about mental well-being. - Celebrating their courage, not just in combat, but in seeking help when needed. On this Memorial Day, let's honor their service by ensuring they have the support they need to thrive, both on and off the battlefield. #MemorialDay #MentalHealth #SupportOurTroops #ArmedForces #Veterans #MentalWellBeing #Resilience

At Combat Stress, we use Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) to help veterans who experience strong feelings of shame or guilt linked to military trauma and violence, or who hold negative views about themselves such as thoughts that they are worthless, useless or bad. Click here to read about Be Your Own Ally, our CFT group developed to help veterans learn self-compassion: https://ow.ly/kQz550TMI2I #compassion #compassionfocusedtherapy #veteranscharity

“We are taught to be strong, to betray no weakness, but that night I learned to be strong is weakness. Pain should not be avoided. Tears must fall.” - Unknown BBC Screenwriter #PTSD doesn’t often look the way most people expect it to. It’s also not always caused by combat action as is often misconstrued (often by the veterans suffering worst because they don’t understand why they feel the way they do). This outstanding video shows in a really simple way how it affects people’s every day lives, and as importantly, the burden it places on the people around you. #MentalHealth is #health. Poor mental health is poor health. If you’re struggling to cope, the most difficult thing you can do as a #Veteran is to admit it and ask for help. It’s also the most powerful thing you can do - a sign of real strength. #trauma #veteranshelpingveterans #combatstress