Veterans and PTS(D)
According to the Veterans Affairs Administration, veterans filing disability claims for PTS(D) has tripled in the last decade from 345,000 in 2008 to 940,000 in 2017. Veterans of previous conflicts continue to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress (disorder) (PTSD). The National Institutes of Health estimate that, of the approximately 2 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, up to 20% suffer from post-traumatic stress or PTS. Veterans of previous wars may also continue to experience symptoms of PTS(D).
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.
