10
2011
A Salute to Veterans
Today's guest post comes from Youth Council Member Jessica Moyeda in honor of Veteran's Day.
This summer, at the Youth Council Summit, each YC member was challenged to create a personalized action plan. This was an opportunity to dictate the course of our involvement with ReachOut; when prompted to pursue topics about which we were passionate, I immediately thought of veterans.
Imagine this scenario: Your family decides to go out to their favorite local restaurant, and when you arrive your first thoughts are not of menu selections but of where the hostess will seat you. It must be in a corner, or at least along the wall – never in the middle of a room. You ask yourself, is there a clear view of the entrance from your table? What about the exits? Then you realize there are too many people in the restaurant because it is Friday and everyone has had the same idea as your family. You worry it is too noisy and now wonder if you should have just stayed home and cooked.
Some of you may chalk this scenario up to paranoia; others may think it is completely fictionalized. Yet I know there are those of you that have experienced this, or known someone who has these same thoughts.
This is a real scenario from my life, it is also a very narrow illustration of how the most normal situations can be turned upside-down by combat experiences. The hyper-vigilance, the sensitivity to noise and crowds of people are just some of the effects of my father’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and is something my family continues to grapple with on a daily basis. So, for me, it made sense that when I was asked to think of how I could contribute to ReachOut, I thought of helping our veterans.
On Veteran’s Day we are meant to give thanks to the men and women that have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedom. Did you know an estimated 11 to 20 percent of returning combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but nearly half of today's young veterans will return home with a type of mental health condition (depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.)? Stigma can also prevent service members from seeking help when they need it most.
So, what can you do if someone you love or know is experiencing some of these challenges?
1. Educating yourself is the single most important step in helping someone you love, because it prepares you for the challenges ahead. Knowledge is power, and in this case it may prompt you to show your support or lend a helping hand.
2. Listen and share. Each veteran experience - and their period of readjustment - is unique. Some may wish to talk and others may not. The important thing is that you express your support. A simple, “I love you and am here for you,” can go a long way. Your encouragement and willingness to listen or talk is a huge component in the readjustment period because it let’s them know you care and are committed to helping them in this transition.
3. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. If your friend or family member is experiencing some of these challenges, chances are you feel strained or tense and may even internalize some of their common stress reactions. Remember that your life has changed too, and it may be helpful just to talk with someone about these changes.
In closing, I’d like to leave you all with a few thoughts:
• It is 100 percent possible for you and your service member to be happy and healthy.
• It is a sign of maturity for you, or your service member, to admit needing assistance and take action.
On behalf of ReachOut.com, I would like to extend my thanks to all veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
