{"id":1635,"date":"2021-08-29T16:44:15","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T00:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/?p=1635"},"modified":"2021-08-29T16:45:36","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T00:45:36","slug":"healing-from-afghanistan-support-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/healing-from-afghanistan-support-available\/","title":{"rendered":"Healing from Afghanistan: Support Available"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Fellow Guardsmen,<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We have all been distraught with what has happened in Afghanistan. \u00a0 It is a heartbreaking situation that is taking an emotional toll.\u00a0 Like many of you, I have served downrange in combat and after that served two tours at the hospital in Germany where wounded warriors from Afghanistan and Iraq were brought.\u00a0 Some of you may have lost friends or family members over there, and your grief has been greatly intensified by recent events.\u00a0 All of us are\u00a0distressed with what we have seen\u00a0and heard.\u00a0 Feelings of shock, confusion, anger, and anguish are understandable.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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One of the lessons we learned from the Vietnam War is that no one should have to face these issues alone.\u00a0 Talking with someone is an important way that the mind processes strong emotions.\u00a0 In the California State Guard, we have one another to reach out to, including chaplains and psychologists who trained in counseling and are available anytime \u2013 that is why we are here. \u00a0(You don\u2019t have to have be a certain faith or even have any spiritual belief to talk with a chaplain.) \u00a0There are also other resources, listed below.\u00a0 One veteran with 20 years of combat experience put it this way, \u201cWe\u2019re resilient, we know how to suck it up, and we know how to power through it. But there\u2019s going to come a time where you won\u2019t be able to do that.\u201d \u00a0He now encourages everyone not to try to go it alone when it comes to dealing with difficult issues. \u00a0<\/em><\/span>Based on a past experience with personal trauma, I wrote a book that addresses the different emotional responses, such as shock, anger, question, instability, anguish, and so on.\u00a0 If you are going through a difficult time because of this or some other crisis and would like a copy of this book, I will be happy to send you one free of charge.\u00a0 You can see a preview here at:\u00a0https:\/\/smile.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B095JNZ1WG\/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We are a team, we are here for one another, and we are better together. \u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Ron Prosise, CAPT (CA)\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
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Command Chaplain<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
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Resources available right now<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Veterans Crisis Line\u00a0–<\/span>\u00a0If you are having thoughts of suicide, call<\/span>\u00a01-800-273-8255,<\/a> then PRESS 1 or visit<\/span>\u00a0http:\/\/www.veteranscrisisline.net\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to<\/span>\u00a0your local VA medical center<\/a>\u00a024\/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Vet Centers\u00a0–\u00a0Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these<\/em>\u00a0c<\/span>ommunity-based counseling centers.\u00a070% of Vet Center staff are Veterans.\u00a0Call<\/span>\u00a01-877-927-8387<\/a>\u00a0or find one<\/span>\u00a0near you<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0VA Mental Health Services Guide<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0MakeTheConnection.net<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0RallyPoint\u00a0– Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss:\u00a0<\/span>What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Download VA’s self-help apps<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0Request a Peer Mentor<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0VA Women Veterans Call Center<\/span>\u00a0–\u00a0Call or text<\/span>\u00a01-855-829-6636<\/a>\u00a0(M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 6:30PM ET)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0VA Caregiver Support Line\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>Call<\/span>\u00a01-855-260-3274<\/a>\u00a0(M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 5PM ET)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Together We Served\u00a0–<\/span>Find your battle<\/a>\u00a0buddies<\/a>\u00a0through unit pages<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0George W. Bush Institute\u00a0<\/span>–\u00a0Need help or want to talk?<\/span>\u00a0Check In<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0call:1-630-522-4904<\/a>\u00a0or email:<\/span>\u00a0checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes –<\/span>\u00a0Join the Community<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network\u00a0–<\/span>\u00a0Peer Support and Mentoring<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Team Red, White & Blue\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>Hundreds of events weekly.<\/span>\u00a0Find a chapter<\/a>\u00a0in your area.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Student Veterans of America\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>Find a<\/span>\u00a0campus chapter<\/a>\u00a0to connect with.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Team Rubicon\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>Find a<\/span>\u00a0local support<\/a>\u00a0squad.<\/span><\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Common Reactions<\/span><\/h3>\n

In reaction to current events in Afghanistan, Veterans may:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Feel frustrated, sad, helpless, grief or distressed<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Feel angry or betrayed<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Experience an increase in mental health symptoms like symptoms of PTSD or depression<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Sleep poorly, drink more or use more drugs<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Try to avoid all reminders or media or shy away from social situations<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Have more military and homecoming memories<\/span><\/p>\n

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Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterans may feel like they need to expect and\/or prepare for the worst.\u00a0For example, they may:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Become overly protective, vigilant, and guarded<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Become preoccupied by danger<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Feel a need to avoid being shocked by, or unprepared for, what may happen in the future<\/span><\/p>\n

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Feeling distress is a normal reaction to negative events, especially ones that feel personal. It can be helpful to let yourself feel those feelings rather than try to avoid them. Often, these feelings will naturally run their course. If they continue without easing up or if you feel overwhelmed by them, the suggestions below can be helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strategies for Managing Ongoing Distress<\/span><\/p>\n

At this moment, it may seem like all is lost, like your service or your sacrifices were for nothing. Consider the ways that your service made a difference, the impact it had on others\u2019 lives or on your own life. Remember that now is just one moment in time and that things will continue to change.<\/span><\/p>\n

It can be helpful to focus on the present and to engage in the activities that are most meaningful and valuable to you. Is there something you can do today that is important to you?\u00a0 This can be as an individual, a family member, a parent, or a community member. Something that is meaningful to you in regard to your work or your spirituality? Such activities won\u2019t change the past or the things you can\u2019t control, but they can help life feel meaningful and reduce distress, despite the things you cannot change.<\/span><\/p>\n

It can also help to consider your thinking. Ask yourself if your thoughts are helpful to you right now. Are there ways you can change your thinking to be more accurate and less distressing? For example, are you using extreme thinking where you see the situation as all bad or all good?\u00a0 If so, try and think in less extreme terms. For example, rather than thinking \u201cmy service in Afghanistan was useless\u201d consider instead \u201cI helped keep Afghanistan safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finally, consider more general coping strategies that you may want to try including:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Engage in Positive Activities.\u00a0Try to engage in positive, healthy, or meaningful activities, even if they are small, simple actions. Doing things that are rewarding, meaningful, or enjoyable, even if you don\u2019t feel like it, can make you feel better.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Stay Connected.\u00a0Spend time with people who give you a sense of security, calm, or happiness, or those who best understand what you are going through.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Practice Good Self Care.\u00a0Look for positive coping strategies that help you manage your emotions. Listening to music, exercising, practicing breathing routines, spending time in nature or with animals, journaling, or reading inspirational text are some simple ways to help manage overwhelming or distressing emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Stick to Your Routines.\u00a0It can be helpful to stick to a schedule for when you sleep, eat, work, and do other day-to-day activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Limit Media Exposure.\u00a0Limit how much news you take in if media coverage is increasing your distress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0Use a mobile app. Consider one of VA\u2019s self-help apps (see<\/span>\u00a0https:\/\/www.ptsd.va.gov\/appvid\/mobile\/<\/a>) such as PTSD Coach which has tools that can help you deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0PTSD Coach Online<\/a>.\u00a0A series of online video coaches will guide you through 17 tools to help you manage stress. PTSD Coach Online is used on a computer, rather than a mobile device, and therefore can offer tools that involve writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you develop your own ways of adapting to ongoing events and situations, you may gain a stronger sense of being able to deal with challenges, a greater sense of meaning or purpose, and an ability to mentor and support others in similar situations.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fellow Guardsmen, We have all been distraught with what has happened in Afghanistan. \u00a0 It is a heartbreaking situation that is taking an emotional toll.\u00a0 Like many of you, I have served downrange in combat and after that served two tours at the hospital in Germany where wounded warriors from Afghanistan and Iraq were brought.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1643,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california-state-guard-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1635"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1646,"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1635\/revisions\/1646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1643"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateguard.cmd.ca.gov\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}