The Headstrong Project

Meet Maurica. As a mother of three, military spouse, and a career Army veteran with 22 years of service and counting, Maurica has experienced the full spectrum of military life. Despite her pride in her service, she acknowledges that she's faced heavy challenges. She has confronted the loss of dear friends, as well as experienced sexual assault and harassment, which led to struggles with #PTSD, #addiction, and self-destructive behavior. Despite these challenges, she shared, "These same things also paved the way for my career as a #socialworker, my marriage to my husband, and the #resilience that has guided me through many hardships." Struggling with the lingering effects of #trauma, Maurica turned to therapy. Having benefited from both individual and #couplestherapy, she credits it with saving her life and marriage. Check out our latest blog to learn about #Idaho resident Maurica's mental health journey and her belief that "there is light on the other side." https://lnkd.in/emNZcPFA

Land of the free, because of the brave. May we never take our Independence for granted. Wishing you and yours a happy and safe 4th of July!

As we head into a long holiday weekend, which I am sure will be filled with family, friends and barbecues, I ask that you take a moment to reflect on the importance of this holiday. Two hundred and forty-eight years ago our Founding Fathers risked everything and Declared our Independence. The freedoms and way of life we enjoy today are unique and special, and were secured by our first veterans. We have been defending it ever since. It truly is a privilege to be a part of The Headstrong Project, an organization that continues the fight to take care of the brave men and women who protect our nation's freedom.

Since 1776, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence and marked with festivities ranging from fireworks, backyard barbecues, parades, concerts, baseball games, and more. As we head into the Fourth of July holiday, it’s important to remember that service members and veterans who have experienced a trauma that included explosions, gunfire, loud noises, or fire may find fireworks to be a trigger of past events. While fireworks are a special tradition for many, the intense sounds, bright lights, and smokey smells may cause distress for those with PTSD. If you are a service member or veteran with PTSD, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for #PTSD provides helpful tips about how to manage expected fireworks this Independence Day:   🔹 Read about an event (or ask a host) to learn if fireworks will be part of the celebration  🔹 Talk with someone close to you about your concerns and invite them along  🔹 Prior to the event, work on self-care—good sleep, breathing techniques, journaling, mindfulness, limiting alcohol—to be at your best 🔹 Choose activities that are healthy and safe for you 🔹 Consider bringing earplugs or headphones to the event  🔹 If it makes you feel more comfortable, you might consider avoiding events with fireworks; this is a short-term fix that may worsen the problem over time. If you are a loved one of a service member or veteran who may have a strong reaction to fireworks, the Center offers some ideas about ways you can help in the moment if fireworks create sudden or unexpected reactions: 🔺 Ask your loved one if there is anything you can do 🔺Offer words of support, like: "You are safe." "I am here with you, now." 🔺Help your loved one remember the present environment: "You are at a [party, concert, etc.] and it is safe here." 🔺Offer to do a breathing technique or mindfulness activity in the moment For more helpful guidance and information, visit https://lnkd.in/gePxWpTq.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Colin Wrasman is biking 2,000 miles across Japan to raise awareness and funds for Headstrong's veteran mental health services. Colin began his trek on June 3rd in Cape Sata in Kagoshima and is now 1,000 miles into his journey to Cape Sōya in Hokkaidō. Despite days of pouring rain, tremendous climbs, and bad directions from Google Maps, much like the veterans who go through our mental health treatment, Colin’s resilience continues to fuel him.  Colin shared his inspiration for the trek: “If you know me, you know how important mental health is for me (especially that of my fellow veterans). I just want everyone to be taken care of. I don’t want anyone to feel lost, alone, afraid, or misunderstood. We lose so many people to #suicide every day, but it’s more than that. There are people that struggle daily with #PTSD and #trauma that don’t fall under the ‘suicide awareness’ bracket.”  Today on #NationalPTSDAwarenessDay, join Colin in ensuring every service member and veteran receives the #mentalhealth care they deserve by contributing to his campaign here: https://lnkd.in/gACw3hKH

Today is #NationalPTSDAwarenessDay. PTSD symptoms may include: ▫ Insomnia or sleep disruptions ▫ Social isolation ▫ Memory issues ▫ Irritability or anger ▫ Flashbacks ▫ Emotional or physical distress ▫ Difficulty focusing ▫ Risky or self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse ▫ Hypervigilance ▫ Avoiding anything that reminds one of a traumatic event If you, a loved one, colleague, or community member are experiencing any of these behaviors, take the PTSD Self-Screen available here: https://lnkd.in/gytNYJdK. Please share this with service members and veterans in your communities. Trauma is treatable and they can access stigma-free, no-cost, confidential trauma-informed mental health care at https://lnkd.in/gzcJ2wCF.

IC4's 4th Annual #MiniGolf4Good was a hole-in-one!

This is powerful and staggering. Keep in mind, the number lost to suicide is also double that of the Vietnam War. If you need help, The Headstrong Project has it. If you don’t need help, please consider donating to someone that does. https://lnkd.in/g2ZQbQfE The Headstrong Project

Eighty years ago, war raged across Europe under Hitler's control, and freedom and democracy faced grave threats worldwide. Aware that the fate of the free world rested in their hands, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called upon the nation to pray for the brave Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines as they embarked on a “mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.” On June 6, 1944, hope ignited on the beaches of #Normandy. Just after dawn, 73,000 American troops joined Allied forces across land, air, and sea in one of the greatest military operations in history, now known as D-Day. More than 4,400 Allied troops, including 2,500 Americans, were killed on D-Day, making the ultimate sacrifice so that the world might know freedom. Today, on the 80th anniversary of #DDay, we honor their heroism, which liberated a continent and saved the world. We will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. #WWII #OperationOverlord 📷 : National WWII Museum

In honor of #MilitaryAppreciationMonth, we'd like to salute the remarkable veterans on our staff. Robin Myers, Ned Freeze, Katie Dexter, Daniel Kaepernik - we're grateful for your service to our country during your time in uniform and your service today as members of the Headstrong team. Thank you for the invaluable contributions you make to this organization and most importantly, to the warriors, veterans, and military families we support. Our mission is stronger because of you. https://lnkd.in/gzcJ2wCF