My Story of Hope - I am a Suicide Survivor and Mental Health Warrior - Part 3.

2021-05-05T09:21:31-04:00

Read day 1 here: https://rly.pt/3unCyzK
Read day 2 here: https://rly.pt/3vHUaXd

My enemy was strong, but I was stronger. Today, I am stronger still. Oh it tries to slip back into my life, behind the lines, creeping there, like an assassin in the dark. It tried to make its way into the crevices of my life that I thought were safe. Sometimes, a car horn will send my PTSD to the forefront of my brain. It doesn’t surrender, but neither do I.

Memories are ingrained in us, you can’t erase them and they are nearly impossible to forget since they are a compilation of our experiences. PTSD knows this loophole and waits to strike; sometimes silently lurking in the back and sometimes obnoxiously screaming in your ear. It might wait to strike when your defenses are down or it might strike you at a moment's notice when you thought you were protected from it. PTSD does not care about who you are, what you have done or your future goals. PTSD will strike again and again with no inhibitions.

But I am resilient. I sought help and it led me to the place where I am at today. The PTSD still visits and tries to catch me off guard. It sneaks those dark thoughts into my head and manifests itself in different ways. It is not something that I can control or push out of my head because my memories are a part of me. However, when it does come creeping back and ambushes me, I know just what to do.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please get help now. Tell a loved one. Tell a friend. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: [login to see] . If you prefer to talk online, visit the veteran crisis line here: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/military-crisis-line

My Story of Hope: I am a Suicide Survivor and Mental Health Warrior | Part 1 | RallyPoint

Take a moment of silence for yourself right now. Block out the rest of the world and really focus on the silence. It is not very often that an article begins with a request for silence. It is uncomfortable. It is forced and sometimes the silence is ironically deafening. We often don’t know what to do with silence because we are forced to be alone with ourselves and thoughts which can be daunting. September 11, 2001, silenced America. There...

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2021 9:36 AM

2021-05-05T09:36:59-04:00

Great share!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 8 at 2021 9:31 PM

2021-05-08T21:31:31-04:00

I wonder if you are interested in reading a PTSD Therapy Paper. When I say people with PTSD cross the finish line. I think they have done a 150 degree turn in their life. There is still 30 degrees because healing is Work In Progress. I don't think 180 degrees is possible because as you say, it is still in us. Fighting PTSD is like fighting a battle. Sometimes you defend, sometimes you go on the offense. There are threats, obstacles, routes, avenues of approach, blind spots, prioritized threats, final protective line, and fire plans.

The first priority is to survive. The next key task is to paint the picture. The next key task is to develop a plan. The next task is to execute the plan. It sounds so easy, but if you are in the middle of the battle, the clarity might not exist. Riding out the storm can be infinitely tough.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 12 at 2021 10:54 AM

2021-05-12T10:54:36-04:00

Excellent share brother CW4 Private RallyPoint Member passing this on to Facebook later.

Response by Wayne Soares made May 13 at 2021 6:56 AM

2021-05-13T06:56:44-04:00

Awesome share brother Clifford

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2021 12:31 PM

2021-05-13T12:31:22-04:00

Just a poem to reveal my sentiments sometimes.

I AM GOLD
I sit and lean against a tree.
My jeans get dirty.
I lose myself.
My mind is clear.
I want to feel love despite my soul.
The forest welcomes my existence.
I become part of the world.
Time is a meaningless concept.
Sunshine glitters through the trees.
The sun warms my heart.
Clouds float slowly above.
Leaves whisper their existence.
The wind cools my cheeks.
Sweet smell of wildflowers wafts.
I absorb the beauty of the world.
There is brilliance around me.
Today will be a good day.
Perhaps I will find myself again.
I am gold.

Response by Pvt SanJuana Méndez made Jun 30 at 2021 2:07 PM

2021-06-30T14:07:43-04:00

Am survivor & MH Warrior. My biggest battle is convincing others that my war goes on, despite my tenacity & obstinacy.