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Honestly, instead of doing pushups to bring awareness to the veteran suicide issue, how about we destigmatize mental health treatment in the military and leaders be open about how we *all* struggle at different points in our lives
I& #39;ll start - I& #39;ve been in therapy for 2 years
I& #39;ll start - I& #39;ve been in therapy for 2 years
It started because I& #39;d buried stuff from my past for a long time - my upbringing told me that men just suck it up, put their heads down, and push on. Add military service and a deployment in there, and I was struggling. I finally decided to talk to someone about it.
But even then, it took me SIX MONTHS to finally pick up the phone, such was my hesitance to admit that I alone couldn& #39;t handle it. Six months to break through the lying point in my brain that told me that "you& #39;re weak if you do this. You can& #39;t lead troops"
That was even with close friends telling me to do it. Close friends in the Army telling me that it helped them, that it turned them around. I even told other people to do it, when I was too scared to even pick up the phone. But I finally did.
It was like a light came on
It was like a light came on
Suddenly, I wasn& #39;t carrying my problems around in my head, having them strike at me when I was at my most low. I learned coping skills, we talked thru issues, and I grew stronger. More able to navigate without turning to something like alcohol for relief. I was able to stand.
While in command, I& #39;ve recommended it to my soldiers & have tried to destigmatize it as much as possible. But it& #39;s tough to crack thru the Army - I disclosed it during my yearly PHA & the provider said, "Great, but I& #39;ll just say you& #39;re coping, don& #39;t want a flag"
If you& #39;re struggling, you& #39;re not alone.
There are resources. You don& #39;t have to carry the dark feeling with you. This is *not* a permanent feeling. Things *can* change. Admitting it is the first step, and can be the hardest. But I& #39;m here to say it& #39;s worth it.
You& #39;re worth it.
There are resources. You don& #39;t have to carry the dark feeling with you. This is *not* a permanent feeling. Things *can* change. Admitting it is the first step, and can be the hardest. But I& #39;m here to say it& #39;s worth it.
You& #39;re worth it.
(btw, this is not to talk down to anyone doing the 22 pushups a day or anything like that - we need everyone to be thinking of preventative measures and raising awareness)
