You may have noticed I write a lot about veterans’ issues here on Rewire Me—it’s a topic I’m very passionate about. The recent statistics that demonstrate the overwhelming prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcoholism, drug addiction, unemployment, and homelessness among veterans in the United States indicate a problem with the quality and types of care they receive.
Thankfully there are organizations and individuals that are dedicated to finding a better means of taking care of our veterans. They believe, like I do, that exploring new therapies like yoga and mindfulness and re-evaluating the education and research devoted to veterans’ health is the key to ensuring they get the care they have earned. My friend Krishna Pendyala of Mindful Nation Foundation sums it up well in this video from Huffington Post (below), giving a metaphor of an oxygen mask on an airplane—these veterans must help themselves in order to help others.
In the new book Warrior’s Return: Restoring the Soul After War (Sounds True), Edward Tick, Ph.D., examines the effect of society’s demands on veterans, and how to heal them from the wounds of war. In Rewire Me contributor Arthur Goldwag’s review of the book, he writes, “A society that betrays its warriors also betrays itself.”
This Veteran’s Day, as we take time to thank our veterans for their commitment to our country, I urge everyone to consider how we can continue to thank our veterans all year round.
Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.
2 Comments
Beth
Thank You SO Much for Honoring our Veterans – not only today but every day. And for the information on organizations and individuals that have made it a priority for them to get the help, healing and care that they deserve.
lew poorman
Thank you for your focus on vets. Ive been active in vets issues since my return from vietnam in 1970. Then even the term and diagnosis were 15 years away. I watched the amazing video of Cody Harrin and Dr Pendyala and was amazed. Dr P in in Pittsburgh I hope we can find a way to get involved. The concepts of self care and professionally directed self healing was pioneered by, in incriments, Dr. M Scott Peck, Rev Chuck Dean, Vietnam Vets Ministers C. , Sidran,and the amaing Patience Mason, MA. and many many more. Public promotion by folks like you can help remove the stigma and help vets, espescially vets with Military Sexual Trauma for help. Thanks again the progress we are seeing will help alot and hopefuly reduce the 22/vets/day suicide rate and the fact that more vets in combat zones die of suicide than combat action.