Broken by Battle
Wounded by War
My Love is Forever
To you this I swore
I Will Quiet your silent screams
Help Heal your shattered soul
Until once again
My Love
You are whole
– The Battling Bare Promise
“Her husband, Robert, a former Marine turned Army infantry staff sergeant, was struggling through the fog after war that had left him cold and clouded ever since returning from his second tour in Iraq in 2010. A string of recent suicides among friends and battle buddies had only made things worse.”
http://www.ccjm.org/content/79/2/92.full
Promoting social, emotional, and spiritual wellness
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Build relationships with family members and friends who can provide support
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Think well about themselves and identify their areas of strength
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Invest time and energy in developing new skills
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Challenge negative thoughts; try to find optimistic ways of viewing any situation
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Look after their physical health and exercise regularly
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Get involved in community activities to help counter feelings of isolation
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Ask for assistance and support when they need it.67
“SUICIDE ALSO HAPPENS within the family… again,,, something to be pushed under a carpet and forgotten.. my daughter took her life over losing her brother in Afghanistan.. A SAD STATISTIC that NOBODY CARES ABOUT NOR PAYS MUCH ATTENTION TOO.. THE FAMILY IS LEFT ON ITS OWN..~~~ I HAVE PAID ONE HUGE PRICE FOR THE LOSS OF MY SON …. I HAVE NOW LOST TWO CHILDREN!!!!!”
I am now more aware of implications of “suicidal ideation and behavior.” Please take the time to educate yourself so that you can support your loved ones more effectively as they readjust following combat duty. Keep a close eye on yourself and other family members as well. The family as a whole is totally at risk of taking on the same symptoms of PTSD, including suicidal behaviors…
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story