Monday, May 31, 2010

Celebrate our Veterans by offering them your support!



During this Memorial Day Holiday, it is important that we, as a culture, show appreciation towards our military veterans and active duty service men and women.  But it is even more important that each of us take personal responsibility for the veterans in our lives.  One of the most common fears of returning veterans is that of losing their loved ones respect and affection as a result of their wartime experiences.  So if you have a veteran in your life, take this opportunity to tell them that you love them unconditionally. 

If you or anyone you know who served during wartime is experiencing any of the following symptoms, have them seek counseling immediately:

·      Talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
·      Trying to get pills, guns, or other ways to harm oneself
·      Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
·      Hopelessness
·      Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
·      Acting in a reckless or risky way
·      Feeling trapped, like there is no way out
·      Saying or feeling there's no reason for living.



For immediate suicide prevention help, call

1-800-273-TALK, Veterans Press 1

For those seeking more information regarding suicide help, counseling, or other services offered by the Veterans Affairs you may visit the following website:








After extensive research on the effects of wartime service on the mental health and well-being of our veterans, Mindful Measures is developing a program specifically to help veterans reaclimate to civilian living.  In the meantime, veterans will find the following programs useful:

Live in Joy

Cultivate Deeper Relationships

Reduce Stress

While these programs are great for creating quick shifts in clients perspectives and habits, they are not meant as a substitute for immediate suicide prevention.  If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal urges, please seek immediate professional suicide prevention counseling!