| Americans start to feel the ripple effects of | | | | but many don't know exactly how. |
| war and violence. | | | | |
| | | | CHOOSE LIFE -- We all have inherent strengths |
| The United States is at war, and the home | | | | and coping mechanisms. Think about what got |
| front is hurting. One and a half million | | | | you through your toughest times, and what you |
| Americans have served in military operations | | | | did well. Was it your faith? Your sense of |
| in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 4,000 are | | | | humor? Your friendships? Recall your best |
| dead. Nearly thirty thousand have been | | | | intentions in serving your country. Then |
| physically wounded. Over 300,000 now suffer | | | | imagine a kick-ass future that is positive |
| from invisible psychological wounds. | | | | and purposeful. |
| Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic | | | | |
| Stress Disorder have been called the | | | | REACH OUT -- Traditional trauma and grief |
| signature injuries of these conflicts. | | | | counseling doesn't work for everyone. If |
| According to research at the Rand Corporation | | | | it's not for you or not enough, try reaching |
| and Centers for Disease Control, there has | | | | out to peers who seem to be getting along |
| been a significant increase in rates of | | | | okay. Find individuals or groups who seem to |
| suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness | | | | be coping with their injuries well or have |
| and domestic violence among returning service | | | | gone through something similar. Right now, |
| members. Making the transition from soldier | | | | Survivor Corps is creating online peer |
| to citizen is not simple or easy, but each of | | | | support for veterans to exchange experiences. |
| us can play a role to reach out with respect | | | | It's not psychotherapy, just a safe, |
| and empathy during this crucial time of | | | | supportive community of people who are |
| transition. | | | | overcoming the effects of violence and war, |
| | | | together. |
| There are ways to work through the effects of | | | | |
| war: Rise above. Give back. | | | | GET MOVING -- No one else can make us log on, |
| | | | reach out or get out of the house. We have |
| For many soldiers, war is their "peak | | | | to do our own survivor sit-ups to get in |
| experience." They have gone through an | | | | shape for future life. We can set specific |
| adrenaline rush of tests, physical, mental | | | | achievable objectives to move forward, upward |
| and psychological. Coming down from this | | | | and onward. Yes, it takes effort, but you've |
| level of intensity to engage in more prosaic | | | | already proven you can get through tough |
| day-to-day activities at home is a challenge. | | | | times. What the hell, it's a new day, so get |
| But normalization after demobilization is | | | | out and go workout, apply for that job, join |
| key to finding future happiness and health. | | | | others to serve or volunteer in your |
| It's important not to let a war experience be | | | | community. |
| the end of one's growth. Living in the | | | | |
| past-- getting "stuck" there -- can lead to a | | | | GIVE BACK -- No matter how bad it seems, |
| victim mentality. And victimhood is an | | | | there are others who have been there, or |
| unhealthy trap for too many who feel they | | | | somewhere worse. When you feel ready, look |
| can't quite move on from their battlefield | | | | for ways to help other veterans, National |
| experience. At Survivor Corps, we have | | | | Guard, Reservists, and their families who may |
| developed a five-step program to help | | | | be struggling. This will not only help them, |
| veterans and their families move forward | | | | but help you by taking emphasis off your own |
| positively. I learned these five steps after | | | | pain and focusing energy on others. You |
| stepping on a landmine in Israel and then | | | | might be surprised to find that the same |
| working with thousands of victims of war and | | | | service mentality that brought you overseas |
| violence worldwide. | | | | can ease pain at home, helping you feel |
| | | | accomplished and connected again. |
| FACE FACTS -- We can't keep a battle mindset | | | | |
| forever. Baghdad may feel close, but it is a | | | | We at Survivor Corps are building a movement |
| world away. What we saw or did in battle | | | | of survivors helping each other overcome the |
| cannot be changed. There is no turning back | | | | effects of war and violence. Together, we |
| the clock. Isolation, anger and resentment | | | | rise above our injuries and give back to our |
| are common feelings. Many people will not | | | | communities. We aim to do more than survive |
| understand what you went through. But many | | | | tough times, we want to grow stronger and |
| will. Our relatives and friends want to help | | | | thrive. |