Bulletproofing the Psyche: Mindfulness Interventions in the Training Environment to Improve Resilience in the Military and Veteran Communities

Reducing veterans’ risk for suicidal behaviors: a qualitative study to inform development of the RECLAIM health promotion program

“…To clarify the purpose of RECLAIM and its potential benefits, participants in the current study recommended using peer-to-peer outreach (i.e., having former veteran participants promote RECLAIM) to promote the program. The use of peers has been suggested in other studies to generate veteran buy-in and trust [27][28][29]. The use of fellow veterans to promote health care or a specific program or treatment is a strategy that has been previously suggested considering that peers can be viewed as allies [27].…”

“…While efforts have been made to prevent and reduce veteran suicide, the rate of suicide among post-9/11 veterans (ages [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] remains the highest of all veteran cohorts and has increased by 76% from 2005 to 2017 [6], indicating that more work is needed to effectively reduce the rate of suicide among this veteran cohort. Current suicide reduction and prevention strategies often narrowly focus on extreme psychopathology (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) and are frequently directed at veterans who have already indicated intent to harm [7,8].…”

Writing of Moral Injury and Mental Wellness: A Book Review of Fidelis, by Teresa Fazio

“…Response to changes-such as reintegrating post deployment or leaving active service or activated status-can force service members to navigate huge changes in their identity, employment, sense of purpose, and membership in a social group (Tanielan & Jaycox, 2008). In addition, any loss to one's social community may cause significant problems during transition (Junger, 2015;Thomas & Plummer Taylor, 2015). Although transitions that occur during and after military service can be challenging for men and women alike, health outcomes for military women have declined over the last 15 years (Thomas et al, 2016).…”

“…Although transitions that occur during and after military service can be challenging for men and women alike, health outcomes for military women have declined over the last 15 years (Thomas et al, 2016). Research shows that women and racial/ethnic/sexual minority veterans have higher rates of poor outcomes related to the aforementioned-reintegration issues (Pelts & Albright, 2015;Thomas et al, 2015;Wilcox et al, 2013).…”

Focusing on SELF (Safety, Empowerment, Living Life Differently, and Forging a New You): Evaluating a New Approach toward Sexual Trauma Treatment for Military Service Members

“…The dearth of female service members in high ranking positions creates a power differential between males and females in the military that can contribute to the reinforcement of gender based stereotypes (Castro et al, 2015;Holland et al, 2014;Sadler, Booth, Cook, & Doebbeling, 2003;Turchik & Wilson, 2010). Although there is little research available on the impact of historical discrimination against women in the military (Tilghman, 2015), negative attitudes towards women are a salient risk factor for gender-based trauma (Nayak, Byrne, Martin, & Abraham, 2003;Thomas & Taylor, 2015). Female service members who report sexual assault may experience social and professional retaliation, administrative/adverse action or even punishment.…”