REBOOT-REFRESH!
INVISIBLE WOUNDS FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP – CENTRAL KENTUCKY
Our Invisible Wounds Care Group, Reboot-Refresh, meets the first and third Thursdays of each month. Our focus will be to support one another and learn to help one another through life after combat. Many of us are playing a role of primary support for someone who has served in combat at some point in their past.
If you know your loved one is dealing with PTSD or a mild TBI, this group is for you. If your loved one doesn’t have a diagnosis, but you know life is simply not the same anymore since their return from war, this group is for you. Statistically, at least 20% of returning troops will have PTSD. Realistically, everyone who serves will come back changed.
PTSD carries a stigma that we don’t speak of outside our homes. The symptomatic behaviors are often nothing to brag about and we prefer to keep problems to ourselves, hoping and praying that the situation will resolve itself in time. Thousands of veterans return home from war finding themselves unable to fit back into society. These men and women now face a battle on the homefront which can result in broken relationships, substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness, and suicide.
Even if your loved one is seeking treatment, there is much that we, as caregivers, need to learn so that we can help our loved one work towards health and healing. Often times, our emotional reaction to what is happening will make the situation far worse. You may even find that you are exhibiting symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress and you probably feel overwhelmed and at a loss as to how to get any help for yourself.
We are not experts, but we are survivors. The purpose of this care group is to provide a safe atmosphere in which participants can share their hearts and their struggles. We have all experienced the spiritual, mental, and emotional battles that come with supporting and loving a combat veteran living with war’s invisible wounds.
We welcome anyone who has already walked this path in supporting a combat veteran. You can show us some of the lessons and techniques you have learned and teach us to be a better support for our own combat veteran.
If you are a veteran who is willing to share your perspective about living with PTSD, we would welcome your participation and suggestions for helping family members learn to be a better support for their combat veteran.
If you are the parent, spouse, family member, or close friend to one of our nation’s veterans suffering with PTSD and TBI, we hope you will join us on the first and third Thursday nights of each month. The group will meet twice monthly, on the first and third Thursday evenings of the month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Childcare is provided. We will be meeting at Southland Christian Church, located at 5001 Harrodsburg Rd., Nicholasville, KY For driving directions, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Beth at beth@military-missions.org.
FELLED NOT! NO WARRIOR SHALL BE FELLED BY INVISIBLE WOUNDS
If you suffer or have a loved one suffering with PTSD or TBI, you need support and encouragement. We are currently working on a separate website that will be developed specifically for support of those suffering with the Invisible Wounds of War. We will add new information as it becomes available to us. If you have suggestions or if you need support, you can contact us at support@fellednot.com. If you know of a local support group in your area, we will be glad to list it here for our site visitors who might be in your geographical area.
For more detailed information on current issues, events, research, treatment, legislation, and support, visit http://fellednot.com. No warrior shall be felled by invisible wounds.
NAMI – NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS – VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER
NAMI is proud to provide resources for everyone touched by military service. The people who are currently serving, those who have served and their families face unique stressos and need mental health information and treatment tailored to their needs. And yet, the mental health challenges faced by veterans, active-duty troops and their families—stigma, access to quality health information and innovative new treatments—are on the minds of military families and the rest of NAMI’s families.
NAMI – RESOURCES IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY
If you are located in the Central Kentucky area, you can take advantage of the following opportunities:
NAMI Family-to-Family
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course taught by trained NAMI members who have lived with this experience and offers education and support for family and friends of individuals with mental illness. Please call 859-272-7891 or email namimail@namilex.org for more information.
Not Alone provides programs, resources, and services to warriors and families impacted by combat stress and PTSD through a confidential and anonymous community. The website has blogs, forums, stories, articles, and programs for veterans, their spouses, parents of combat veterans, as well as resources for other family members and friends of those impacted by PTSD.
This group advocates for every service member with combat-related Traumatic Brain Injury to receive an early diagnosis, continued care, and consistent, official recognition of their sacrifice by receipt of the Purple Heart Medal. They collaborate with top military and civilian leaders who are committed to the preservation of service members’ contributions to our nation. They are also dedicated to supporting the families and health care professionals who provide their care.
Home Base Program (Boston, MA area)
Interlink Counseling Services (Kentucky)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The Social Security and Disability Resource Center
Veterans’ Resources in Kentucky
