remembering veterans and their family members

This past year, I worked exclusively with Veterans and their family members, joining with Recovery Resource Council and their Veterans department.  We all spend at least 1 day out of the year recognizing the sacrifice and commitment of our veterans but we should give honor to their service year round.  So many veterans come back from service with a host of injuries: physical, mental and emotional.  The physical injuries sustained are a constant reminder to them that they'll never be able to do the things they once did in their youth.  The mental and emotional injuries they carry with them everyday.  While outwardly they may seem strong and unified, internally that may not always be the case.  This doesn't speak to any insufficiency or weakness but rather to the high intense traumas they've faced.  Yes they are heroes, but at the end of the day, they are still human.

Veterans even more so have to fight against the stigma of receiving mental health care.  But I have seen that once they are able to come into the counseling room,  the amount of change, growth and healing are tremendous.  Using interventions like EMDR to combat PTSD, I have personally seen the positive impact counseling has made to veterans and their family members.

This memorial day, would you recognize and honor veterans and their family members.  Know that when you see a veteran, their challenges run deep into the veins of their every day life.  Our freedom came at a price and our veterans are an embodiment of that cost.  Thank you for your service.