Afghanistan: Let's Talk About It - Active Military, Veterans, Family, Supporters, others - help is here!
Service Members, Families, Veterans, and All who are feeling conflicted, shamed, alone!

Afghanistan: Let's Talk About It - Active Military, Veterans, Family, Supporters, others - help is here!

Jeff Allen Fortin Jeff Allen Fortin

Jeff Allen Fortin

??County Official | Board Member | Commissioner | MBA | Author | Executive | Entrepreneur | Military Police LEO | ?? Fmr. Police Commissioner | Fmr. Firefighter/EMT | Atomic Veteran | Enewetak | US Air Force | US Army??

发布日期: 2021年8月17日
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Note from 2LT Jeff A. Fortin, MP (DAV) - Serving in the US Military is a solemn duty and has been accomplished by millions since the founding of the United States. The duty since the 9-11 attack has been the protection of America, with subsequent aid to Iraq and Afghanistan, the main mission has been representing the USA and keeping terrorism away from the USA, which the military and its members have done with honor. Watching the scene unfold on TV, on the internet has service members and veterans questioning service and asking why?

It is about service, giving protection, aid and comfort to those in need. The less fortunate, the appressed, the forgotten and the needy. Democracy is a greater good, above all men. We fight, support, live and die for other may live a free and unencumbered life.

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Very understandable, and needed for well being. The service of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves have been America's safety, not nation building. Service to America has its rewards, challenges and sacrifices which all members of the military, veterans and family's struggle with everyday. Your service was not in vain, America has been safe since 9-11, yes, there have been policy missteps, but you're military service has been honorable to America, to the citizens, to the world and you should feel honored to be part of the greatest military on planet earth.

There will be conflicting feelings, emotions, highs and lows, reach out talk to your family, fellow buddies, or the help line. Asking for help can be as easy as picking up the phone and calling the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline at?1-800-273 TALK (8255) and pressing Option 1.

The hotline is staffed around the clock, 365 days a year by trained professionals who know how to get you the help you need. or help. Your a value to America, and served her proud.

From the Department of Veterans Affairs to all Veterans and Military, and families - from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban.

You are not alone.

Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It’s normal to feel this way. Talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services.?Scroll down for a list common reactions and coping advice.

Resources available right now

Common Reactions

In reaction to current events in Afghanistan, Veterans may:

  • Feel frustrated, sad, helpless, grief or distressed
  • Feel angry or betrayed
  • Experience an increase in mental health symptoms like symptoms of PTSD or depression
  • Sleep poorly, drink more or use more drugs?
  • Try to avoid all reminders or media or shy away from social situations
  • Have more military and homecoming memories

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Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service.

Veterans may feel like they need to expect and/or prepare for the worst.?For example, they may:

  • Become overly protective, vigilant, and guarded
  • Become preoccupied by danger
  • Feel a need to avoid being shocked by, or unprepared for, what may happen in the future

Feeling distress is a normal reaction to negative events, especially ones that feel personal. It can be helpful to let yourself feel those feelings rather than try to avoid them. Often, these feelings will naturally run their course. If they continue without easing up or if you feel overwhelmed by them, the suggestions below can be helpful.

Strategies for Managing Ongoing Distress

At this moment, it may seem like all is lost, like your service or your sacrifices were for nothing. Consider the ways that your service made a difference, the impact it had on others’ lives or on your own life. Remember that now is just one moment in time and that things will continue to change.

It can be helpful to focus on the present and to engage in the activities that are most meaningful and valuable to you. Is there something you can do today that is important to you??This can be as an individual, a family member, a parent, or a community member. Something that is meaningful to you in regard to your work or your spirituality? Such activities won’t change the past or the things you can’t control, but they can help life feel meaningful and reduce distress, despite the things you cannot change.

It can also help to consider your thinking. Ask yourself if your thoughts are helpful to you right now. Are there ways you can change your thinking to be more accurate and less distressing? For example, are you using extreme thinking where you see the situation as all bad or all good??If so, try and think in less extreme terms. For example, rather than thinking “my service in Afghanistan was useless” consider instead “I helped keep Afghanistan safe.”

Finally, consider more general coping strategies that you may want to try including:

  • Engage in Positive Activities.?Try to engage in positive, healthy, or meaningful activities, even if they are small, simple actions. Doing things that are rewarding, meaningful, or enjoyable, even if you don’t feel like it, can make you feel better.
  • Stay Connected.?Spend time with people who give you a sense of security, calm, or happiness, or those who best understand what you are going through.
  • Practice Good Self Care.?Look for positive coping strategies that help you manage your emotions. Listening to music, exercising, practicing breathing routines, spending time in nature or with animals, journaling, or reading inspirational text are some simple ways to help manage overwhelming or distressing emotions.
  • Stick to Your Routines.?It can be helpful to stick to a schedule for when you sleep, eat, work, and do other day-to-day activities.
  • Limit Media Exposure.?Limit how much news you take in if media coverage is increasing your distress.
  • Use a mobile app. Consider one of VA’s self-help apps (see https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/ ) such as PTSD Coach which has tools that can help you deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
  • PTSD Coach Online . A series of online video coaches will guide you through 17 tools to help you manage stress. PTSD Coach Online is used on a computer, rather than a mobile device, and therefore can offer tools that involve writing.

If you develop your own ways of adapting to ongoing events and situations, you may gain a stronger sense of being able to deal with challenges, a greater sense of meaning or purpose, and an ability to mentor and support others in similar situations.

Disclaimer:?The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

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