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

You served your country, now it's time to take care of yourself.

Maintaining or improving your mental health as a veteran can be challenging, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you, and there are things you can do to take care of yourself.

Here are some tips for maintaining or improving your mental health:

Get help if you need it. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. There are many resources available to veterans, including the Veterans Crisis Line, VA mental health clinics, and Vet Centers.
Talk to someone you trust. Talking to someone you trust about your mental health can be helpful. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or counselor.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. These things can help improve your overall mental and physical health.
Find healthy coping mechanisms. There are many healthy ways to cope with stress and difficult emotions. Some examples include exercise, relaxation techniques, spending time in nature, and creative expression.
Get involved in your community. Connecting with others can help you feel less isolated and can provide a sense of purpose. There are many ways to get involved in your community, such as volunteering, joining a veterans' group, or taking a class.
It is important to remember that you are not alone. Many veterans struggle with their mental health. There are resources available to help you, and you deserve to be healthy and happy.

William Myers
Martinez, CA. VA Clinic

Keep busy with projects and travel. Take afternoon naps frequently to avoid over-tiredness. Read the Bible and other Christian literature, and pray; attend church regularly and fellowship with other Christians. Listen to lots of good music.

The best thing I can do for my mental health is spend time with my service dog! Loki and I go everywhere together. I was very fortunate to receive a service dog completely free and it does more for me than any psych appointment or medication ever could.

I keep lots of aquariums. Fish, shrimp, snails and live plants. I developed a pretty good drinking problem while in the Navy and it took me a long time to get over. Picked up aquatics to help me quit drinking and I love it. Almost 2 years sober and part of a fun community. Finding a hobby that you can really be passionate about is more help for your mental health than you realize.

Watching videos of my 18 month old son always brightens my day. Thinking of how I’ll get to squeeze that little man in just a few months helps pass these months while I’m deployed. I look forward to him bringing me books he wants me to read to him and then sitting in my lap so we can read together.

I’m 88 years old now, but I was always an active and committed member of my community. I kept very engaged in sports like bowling and scuba diving, where I was part of a team or a leader within my league. Loved staying connected with people, being part of a “unit”, I believe that’s key. Relationships, social engagement, closeness to family and friends. Cooperation and interaction with my work colleagues and subordinates. I’m a handyman by nature, and when I retired, I volunteered my services to the local scuba diving club, repainting, repairing everything and anything, and also to my wife’s stray dogs rescue association. I fixed rescue cages, built pet’s houses, and new environments for those little guys to thrive until they were adopted by loving families. I still fix and build things at 88. And I joined a local Senior Center, thanks to my VA benefits! I can paint there, and since I’ve always loved music, the paint class and music therapy are my favorites. I get to know other veterans there and make new buddies. I live with my daughter now, life is good. I help around the house, fixing things here and there, and also take care of birds, squirrels and chipmunks in the backyard. She takes me to church every Sunday so I also stay engage with a faith community. Faith in God, family, friends, and thankfulness keep me strong and still going.

I go to a nearby Walmart every morning around 0600 and try to greet every employee and every customer with at last a "Good Morning" and a smile. I also go to Church every Sunday and Bible Study every Wednesday which keeps me going pretty well too.

My kids and being around them and being able to be a father to them is the best mental health medicine I could ever need! They make everything better when I am having an off day , as frustrating (and stubborn) as they can be sometimes lol I wouldn’t want it any other way I love my job of being their dad!!!! These are the three children that make me a dad!!!

Through prayer and sharing the Word of God. I also volunteer in prison ministry called Kolbe Prison Ministries. I find giving back and sharing is the best therapy. God gives us His grace and mercy and wants us to share it, be a channel for it to others, don't hold it in and "keep" it for yourself. Amen!

I work out or move my body every day - even if it's just a walk around the block. I try to get at least 7 hours of sleep and I meditate for at least 20 minutes every day. These 3 things help me handle the inevitable ups and downs life throws at us.