[caption id="attachment_5232" align="aligncenter" width="620"]
Lighted American flag
The holidays are a time for celebrating, spending time with loved ones, and gathering to reflect on the past year. With many of our Service members returning home to celebrate with their families, this season takes on extra significance for those in the military community. It is also a time to remember the sacrifices that our Service members, their families, and caregivers are making every day.
While the holidays are joyous for many, they also bring a set of unique challenges. According to the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), stressful situations, prevalence of drinking, social withdrawal, and crowds can all be triggers for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you or someone you know has PTSD, take the time to understand the possible issues this holiday season brings, and also know that you’re not alone. Many recovering Service members suffer from PTSD and there are resources available 24/7 to help you and your loved ones through these joyful yet also challenging times.
From all of us at the Office of Warrior Care, we wish you all a very happy holiday, a happy New Year, and a heartfelt thank you to our Service members, veterans, families, and caregivers who sacrifice so much so that we can enjoy this holiday season together.
Below are a few resources to ensure you and your loved ones have a safe and joyous holiday season:
DCoE Outreach Center
Phone: 866-966-1020 (24/7)
E-mail: Resources@dcoeoutreach.org
Defense Suicide Prevention Office
Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (24/7)
Military One Source
Phone: 800-342-9647 (24/7)