Veterans and PTS(D)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and disabling condition among US military veterans. However, according to recent VA data, nearly 1.7 million veterans receive disability compensation for mental health conditions, with approximately 1 million service-connected specifically for PTSD. Since 9/11, the rates of diagnosed mental health conditions among veterans have challenged mental health resources across the VA as well as in the Department of Defense (DoD) and community systems (Pickett et al., 2015). Among the 1.2 million OEF/OIF/OND veterans who had obtained VA health care through the third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2015, 58 percent had a mental health diagnosis. The most common diagnoses included PTSD, depressive disorders, disorders characterized by anxiety (for example, generalized anxiety disorder), and substance (alcohol or drugs) dependence or abuse (VA, 2017a). In addition, each of these health conditions is associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior (Moyer, 2013).
Moral Injury
What Is Moral Injury?
In traumatic or unusually stressful circumstances, people may perpetrate, fail to prevent, or witness events that contradict deeply held moral beliefs and expectations (1). When someone does something that goes against their beliefs this is often referred to as an act of commission and when they fail to do something in line with their beliefs that is often referred to as an act of omission. Individuals may also experience betrayal from leadership, others in positions of power or peers that can result in adverse outcomes (2). Moral injury is the distressing psychological, behavioral, social, and sometimes spiritual aftermath of exposure to such events (3). A moral injury can occur in response to acting or witnessing behaviors that go against an individual’s values and moral beliefs. VA Moral Injury
Veterans Deserve More Options During Their Healing Journey
Traditional treatments for veterans’ PTS(D) are currently insufficient. Many veterans drop out of traditional therapeutic treatments because the process of recounting traumatic events is emotionally taxing. They often fail to continue drug treatments due to the drugs’ side effects. Research is showing that the only FDA-approved medications for PTS(D) (i.e. SSRIs) are not helpful in addressing PTS(D). A recent study shows that of those veterans who undergo an entire course of treatment, only 50% show signs of recovery. There is an urgent need to provide alternate methods of helping returning veterans reclaim their lives.
Veteran’s Resilience
A man or woman with the courage to face war does not easily embrace the role of a victim with a diagnosis be it insomnia or PTS(D). Many veterans value learning tools that they can use to help themselves and those seeking therapy find the tools they learn greatly enhance their healing process. The SKY Resilience Training allows veterans to regain a sense of self-mastery and control because they can self-administer the techniques. Research shows these programs are effective, safe, prevention-based, and free of known side-effects. They can be scaled up to serve larger numbers of veterans at a lower cost than many traditional interventions.
Do I need to have PTS(D) to benefit from the Power Breath Meditation Workshop?
Veterans, active duty military members, and their immediate families with or without trauma can benefit from our workshops. The SKY Resilience Training teaches tools that allow all veterans to be at ease, focused, and calm in any circumstance, civilian or military.
