What do you do to maintain or improve your mental health?

Along with lifes rules of living and the state of our world today with so much war & anger is tough. In 2018 after 40 years of silence & denial I got some help through the VA program and was diagnosed with PTSD/MST. In 2019 I applied for the Warriors To Lourdes program and was accepted. This is a International Military Pilgrimage celebrated evey may. I was struggeling & this all expenses paid trip to one of the Holiest place in the world changed my life in a beatiful way. The memories of this trip really did save my life and my saintly. To be with 3-4000 military personal from over 42 countries was amazing. If anyone who is struggling with a PTSD issue they should look into this program called Warriors To Lourdes, and maybe save another veterans with the difficult struggle of PTSD.
Richard Cordeiro
2/13 Inf Div

I am joining Operation Surf in the Central Coast for a three month commitment, twice a week to improve my mental health.

You need to always keep in touch with your doctors if you need them. Always surround yourself with positive people. Don't ever be afraid to talk to someone if you are in crisis. I wake up every day and do positive things towards the community. Don't be afraid to get help if you suffer from any mental illness. I myself, suffer from some issues. With my proper care, I am living a joyous life. Always ask for help if you need it. Mental health is a serious issue and should not be dealt with without proper care. May all Americans and especially veterans, get the best help if needed. The help is out there. Everyone have a great day, George Maughan.

I try to stay busy with work, play with my kids, and figure out ways to keep the wife happy.

I try to spend as much time with my 13 grandkids as I possibly can. I volunteer to help watch them when my daughters need respite for their mental health.
I make sure I'm on top of taking my medicine and making it to my appointments at the VA to continue my care.
I also seek the help of a psychologist on a regular basis so that I've got someone to talk through my ptsd, anxiety and depression issues with.
One of my favorite things to do to maintain my mental health is to garden and work with my flowers and vegetables. There's nothing more satisfying than getting dirt under your fingernails and having beautiful flowers or fresh vegetables to show for it.

I help my roommate and my next door neighbor get to their doctor visits and do a lot of their shopping. When I'm helping others I find I don't think about my own health as much.

Yoga and meditation. Just found Veteran Yoga Project and can't wait to check them out!

Sometimes it's hard to get up in the morning and put on a smile and act like I understand civilian life! I DONT, WE DONT, so I keep myself busy and try to do one thing for somebody that I don't know. It may be as simple as hold the door for a senior citizen or female. Many respond with a look on their face in thanks. Some, don't understand why I go out of my way andnI respond " chivalry isn't dead" ma'am or sir!! It's the little things that make our society better especially with the division I see every day. I sometimes pull the trash can up on a complete strangers house and when caught and they are wondering what I'm doing with their trash can I respond " nobody likes taking or bringing the cans back and I thought that helping you would help" people think I'm crazy maybe I am but I don't care and if everybody would help their neighbor no matter their race, color religion or whatever.mit makes me feel good even if I'm completely down and hurting on the inside. I don't know where I would be if I didn't see the smiles on strangers faces.

To maintain or improve my mental health? I drive and sing. I wasn't in a good spot mentally when I can back from deployment. I left my house and my husband, I tried to maintain for my girls, but it spiraled fast. I broke down and finally opened up to my husband. Moved back in. Saw a counselor. Now I go to church each weekend I'm not drilling, and I sing in the choir. I try to give myself time alone, but I'm also still working on being open about my feelings. It's a process but I know I never want to be where I was emotionally again.

I like to go for long runs to relax and clear my head.