Posted on Jun 23, 2021
Post-pandemic life has thrust us into the 6th stage of grief: the search for meaning
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Grief is a strange thing, and different for everyone. I just lost a 40 year old friend to suicide. It isn’t easy.
Post-pandemic life has thrust us into the 6th stage of grief: the search for meaning
Posted from fastcompany.com
Mental Health
Death
Suicide
Posted 3 y ago
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What I have seen from my time in the military and now working with veterans as a Mental Health Counselor is that there are hidden wounds which veterans harbor and aren't seen by many in the Mental Health field. I worked with Veterans who were suffering from Substance Use Disorder, many were Vietnam-era and Gulf-War era who had many resources available but were too scared, hesitant, proud to reach out for help.
In the military, we are taught to be self-reliant and to complete the mission. After you ETS from the military, YOUR WELL-BEING is your primary mission. As you leave the military, remember that you are planning for the rest of your life. Take time for yourself and if you need help, reach out...
In the military, we are taught to be self-reliant and to complete the mission. After you ETS from the military, YOUR WELL-BEING is your primary mission. As you leave the military, remember that you are planning for the rest of your life. Take time for yourself and if you need help, reach out...
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SFC (Join to see)
Good advice. Thank you. In the case of my friend, I believe 2 things worked on him: several years ago, he lost a fellow correction officer during work related violence, and then shortly after that he suffered a back injury that put him on pain killers. I tried speaking with him but he was in complete denial. It seemed like his family was just starting to bring him around and… I guess the drugs took over too much. Only he knows.
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PFC (Join to see)
People use drugs to escape reality. Narcotics are prescribed for pain relief, it's a slipper slope from therapeutic use to abuse. Ultimately, a drug addict needs to want to stop using for him/her self, not family. It always comes down to the individual.
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SFC (Join to see)
Thank you. Bill was a good friend, always there when you needed something done that you couldn’t get done yourself. It was like he sensed it.
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I agree 100%. Especially for those veterans who moved from a clear and compelling daily mission to the less structured, "too many choices" world even without adding COVID-19's isolation and uncertainty into it. Human beings long for a mission: a task to connect to that is bigger than they are so they can contribute to the world at large.
American philosopher William James once reportedly said, "I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing." Action cures uncertainty. While in the Army I learned that if I wait until I "feel like" doing something it might be a very, very long wait. However, if I will do it because it needs to be done, then the positive feelings will follow. And even if they don't, the thing will still be done!
I am humbled to have been reminded by several posts today how easy it is to "spout wisdom" and not follow it yourself, so starting today, my mental and emotional mission of recovery for myself and others expands to include the physical behavior needed to bring the old body up to standards again.
Thank you for your post.
American philosopher William James once reportedly said, "I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing." Action cures uncertainty. While in the Army I learned that if I wait until I "feel like" doing something it might be a very, very long wait. However, if I will do it because it needs to be done, then the positive feelings will follow. And even if they don't, the thing will still be done!
I am humbled to have been reminded by several posts today how easy it is to "spout wisdom" and not follow it yourself, so starting today, my mental and emotional mission of recovery for myself and others expands to include the physical behavior needed to bring the old body up to standards again.
Thank you for your post.
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PFC (Join to see)
This is a great comment. William James is the forefather of our modern day Psychology field. I'm impressed that you know about him.
Many veterans lose focus when transitioning out of the military. We have Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Mental Health Counselors to help.
The veteran must take the first step.
Many veterans lose focus when transitioning out of the military. We have Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Mental Health Counselors to help.
The veteran must take the first step.
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SFC (Join to see)
Thanks for the comments, what you say is so true; especially “Physician heal thyself”. I also find myself in that category many times.
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