Blog

How To Treat PTSD Receiving a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis can make you feel scared, helpless, ashamed, and confused. For veterans who have experienced active combat or other forms of trauma as a result of their service, it may seem difficult to believe that you'll ever be able to recover and move on.  PTSD Treatment Options However, with enough time and the right treatment and support, healing from PTSD is possible. To help you get started, we've outlined some of the interventions that are known to help mitigate or [...]

VA Programs: Independent and Supported Living  Many veterans live with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses that continue to affect their lives long after their service days have ended. Some of these veterans may require help with activities of daily living, or may benefit from some sort of assisted or supported living arrangement. For qualifying veterans in this situation, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) covers some long-term care services, including assisted living centers or in-home care. Here, we've outlined some of the resources and programs available to veterans who need [...]

Symptoms of PTSD The last several decades have seen immense growth in visibility and research around Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced trauma, and it remains particularly common among service members who have seen active duty combat.  Still, in spite of the growing public awareness of PTSD, recognizing the disorder isn't always as easy or straightforward as we might like to believe. Like depression and other mental health disorders, the symptoms of PTSD are highly variable and often overlap with other psychiatric disorders. In some [...]

Myths and Misconceptions About Homelessness In January 2020, the total number of homeless people in the United States was estimated to be 580,466—more than half a million. Still, in spite of how widespread and pervasive the issue of homelessness is, myths about homeless individuals continue to abound. These misconceptions about homelessness aren't just untrue—they're often actively harmful to homeless individuals, including homeless veterans, and efforts to help them.  Myth: Homeless Individuals Are Violent or Dangerous This idea has been soundly disproven by research. In fact, homeless individuals are more likely [...]

VA Programs: Financial Resources Financial stability is an important component of a successful, happy life. Unfortunately, many of the factors that commonly affect veterans—including substance abuse, lack of financial literacy, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable healthcare, and under- or unemployment—are also linked to financial instability and poverty. If not addressed, financial issues can eventually result in homelessness.  Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a variety of resources designed to help qualifying veterans improve their financial literacy and achieve (or maintain) financial stability. Here, we've outlined some [...]

VA Programs: Mental Health Resources Veterans who have endured the trauma of war and/or the stresses of reintegrating into the civilian world may be at a greater risk for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. As such, mental health issues are major hot topics in the veteran community.  Still, when you or a loved one is suffering from mental health issues, it can be difficult to know how and where to reach out for help.  For those who qualify, the Department of Veterans Affairs is a great place to [...]

Veteran Experiences: Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom The Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were both part of the larger Global War on Terror, which was sparked by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The goal of the war was to eradicate terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan and establish stable governments in both countries. The War in Afghanistan (also known as Operation Enduring Freedom, or OEF) lasted from October 2001-December 2014. The War in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, or OIF; and Operation New Dawn, or [...]