First, it was called Shell Shock. Then it was called Battle Fatigue. Now it is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Help Those still suffering.
It doesn’t matter what you call it, PTSD is real and affects many Veterans returning from war. A memory, an image, a sound, or a smell can trigger a PTSD episode. Here are some sobering facts to think about:
- 1 in 5 US Combat Veterans suffered or is suffering from PTSD
- 22 Veterans commit suicide each day
- 1 in 4 Veterans binge drink at least once per week
- 200,000 Veterans go homeless each night. 45% suffer from PTSD.
I’m stepping outside my usual Wednesday Whoa to bring awareness to some great organizations that support our Veterans in a different manner and help those still suffering. There are a lot of organizations out there that are reaching out to help Veterans, and the ones I want to highlight are those that are bringing yoga, yoga nidra, and meditation to our Veterans.
Mindful Yoga Therapy was founded by Suzanne Manafort of the Newington Yoga Center in CT. She is a fantastic teacher (I know, I took her first Yoga Teacher training for PTSD) and a huge advocate of yoga nidra as a way to relieve the fight or flight response that is usually very active in those with PTSD. The below video includes those taking her training program and those who benefited from her training.
iRest from the Integrative Restoration Institute was created by Richard C Miller, Ph.D. iRest developed from a study conducted at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after the Department of Defense commissioned a study on the effects of yoga nidra on those with PTSD. The website includes retreats and teacher training, as well as research information.
Yoga Warriors leads classes for active duty military and vets, as well as first responders. The website lists classes at their own studio as well as connects you with teachers in each state who support the Yoga Warriors program.
Yoga Veterans Project was created by Dan Libby, who is currently working at the Oakland Vet Center in CA. Their website offers resources, retreats, and training.
Connected Warriors offers free trauma-conscious yoga for service members, Veterans, and their families. They currently offer yoga in 21 states and in Afghanistan and Kuwait.
Please enjoy this slide show from Yoga Journal on the Healing Power of Yoga. And if you know a Veteran who could use some yoga please share these resources.
A thoughtful post. The quote is perfect…stirs emotion, and respect. I don’t know any veterans myself but will share around my social media sites so that those who do may benefit 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and for sharing.
My husband was a vietnam veteran in Australia and suffers from PTSD. Your quote is so true.
Yoga and meditation both have so many benefits and applications. This is good to know about.
Great post. In my job that I used to do, I worked with a number of veterans with PTSD. Sadly, given the work I did, the ones who did not receive the support needed and unravelled in extreme and dangerous manners, ending up in prison. There is still so little awareness and understanding about PTSD and, in Britain, the level of care and support offered to sufferers is very erratic – some receive good support, but many fall through the cracks and do not get the help needed.
The same is true in the US. More programs like these are needed, but I love that many of the same soldiers who come to these programs suffering from PTSD are now getting training so they can bring it to their peers.
I have PTSD(not from combat) and yoga has been so helpful to me. I love that people are sharing these techniques with soldiers who deserve to live a life of peace.
This is terrific, Jennifer. Sobering statistics indeed and even though we are horrified when there is a mass shooting, our veterans are suffering the equivalent of that in terms of suicides every single day. I love the yoga is helping and there is a way to reach out to them with this positive practice.
It’s amazing how it helps. There are several active duty service men and women who are now yoga teachers because they have found relief. They bring yoga back to their unit and find it helps during deployments.
That is really terrific.
I love that yoga is part of this treatment. Love.
Yoga is really amazing.
I know many people that suffer from PTSD, one particularly close who would love to keep his personal struggles private. Some of the therapy out there is unreal! As a long time sufferer of PTSD that stems from childhood traumas I have experienced a sea of different treatments, some that work some that don’t. Every person’s mind is different and unique and thus is treated in such a way. If something works for me that doesn’t work for you, then keep trying, keep doing different things. This yoga is a great way to ease the nerves, though has only ever made the traumatic thoughts and memories more present…it’s that whole letting go thing that is really the core of PTSD, for me at least. But I know there are so many people this is doing a WORLD of good for!<3
In today’s post, I included a link to a Vietnam Vet who not only wrote two books in order to confront his PTSD but also went through a unique spiritual ceremony in order to treat his PTSD. It was the combination of these two things that worked best for him. (His ex-wife was a yoga teacher so obviously, yoga didn’t work for him.) It truly is a matter of finding what works, that’s why I like to share different information on what’s available.
And don’t forget, there are lots of different kinds of yoga classes. Gentle, hot, restorative, power, Kundalini, Bikram, and Yoga Nidra etc. Not all yoga helps everyone. I knew an adolescent psychologist who helped children who’ve been through the most unimaginable traumas. He took it all in. Sometimes he would see a Psychiatrist in order to process it all, but most nights he could be found in a hot power yoga class (Baron Baptiste style) sweating it out and just leaving it all on the mat.
I’m obsessed with yoga so I’ve done it all. Just for my aching joints and muscles, flexibility, not so much for my mental health. 😉
People usually come for the yoga butt and then stay because of the changes they realize are happening on the inside. Just saying….is all. 😉
Oh ya, I’ve practiced yoga for 15 years now. 🙂 Just if I’m having a bad day it gives me panic attacks due to the mindfulness.
LOL. You win…..for now.
😉
I imagine the only real help that vets get is through alternative therapy but I wonder how many are aware that things like yoga really can assist in reducing symptoms?
Especially the older vets from the Vietnam era. Walter Reed Hospital is actually studying the effects of yoga nidra on PTSD. The great thing is there are groups, like Connected Warriors, that are in Afghanistan and Kuwait.