COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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PEER SUPPORT
If you have read the parable about the Solider with PTSD who fell in a hole, it explains exactly what peer support is and how it can help MVFRs facing down their own battles against anxiety, stress, and depression. Who could better help a member of the Armed Forces, a Veteran, or a First Responder dig their way out of a bad spot than someone who has been in that exact hole and knows how to climb out?
A SOLDIER WITH PTSD FELL INTO A HOLE...
A Senior NCO went by and the Soldier with PTSD called out for help. The Senior NCO yelled at, told him to suck it up dig deep & drive on, then threw him a shovel. But the Soldier with PTSD could not suck it up and drive on so he dug the hole deeper.
A Senior Officer went by and the Soldier with PTSD called out for help. The Senior Officer told him to use the tools your Senior NCO has given you then threw him a bucket. But the Soldier with PTSD was using the tools his Senior NCO gave him so he dug the hole deeper and filled the bucket.
A psychiatrist walked by. The Soldier with PTSD said, “Help! I can’t get out!” The psychiatrist gave him some drugs and said, “Take this. It will relieve the pain.” The Soldier with PTSD said thanks, but when the pills ran out, he was still in the hole.
A well-known psychologist rode by and heard the Soldier with PTSD cries for help. He stopped and asked, ” How did you get there? Were you born there? Did your parents put you there? Tell me about yourself, it will alleviate your sense of loneliness.” So the Soldier with PTSD talked with him for an hour, then the psychologist had to leave, but he said he’d be back next week. The Soldier with PTSD thanked him, but he was still in the hole.
A preacher came by. The Soldier with PTSD called for help. The preacher gave him a Bible and said, “I’ll say a prayer for you.” He got down on his knees and prayed for the Soldier with PTSD, then he left. The Soldier with PTSD was very grateful, he read the Bible, but he was still stuck in the hole.
A recovering Soldier with PTSD happened to be passing by. The Soldier with PTSD cried out, “Hey, help me. I’m stuck in this hole!” Right away the recovering Soldier with PTSD jumped down in the hole with him. The Soldier with PTSD said, “What are you doing? Now we’re both stuck here!!” But the recovering Soldier with PTSD said,
“Calm down. It’s okay. I’ve been here before. I know how to get out."
ALABAMA VET CENTERS
Alabama's VET Centers provide confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Their services include counseling for needs such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). They can also connect you with more support in VA and your community.
RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN CRISIS
CREATE A SAFETY PLAN
One step you can take to help yourself or a loved one during a difficult time is to create a safety plan. A safety plan can be completed by anyone and helps you walk through the steps of things you can do to help keep yourself safe when experiencing strong emotions.
VA TRAINING TOOLS
A website designed to offer you free tools to help improve your mental health on topics like problem-solving, anger management, parenting skills and more.
MAKE THE CONNECTION
A website designed to offer stories of Hope from other Veterans sharing their experiences.
