Journalist and military advocate, Lily Casura, went to bat for a young soldier who had lost all hope for help towards a livable life. She showed her dedication to the healing of our military suffering from the invisible and very visible wounds of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We will see more and more of “our” veterans who, like the young veteran Lily assisted, are far removed from DoD and VA service centers. I know I have seen military members who have had their trusted clinicians changed without their knowledge, their benefits altered without warning and no immediate provisions made

Unfortunately there weren’t as many people at the walk as were expected. The rain kept many people away. Who wants to walk in the cold pelting rain? But the volunteers were all there, bright and early. The entire field was set up and organized by Jo McNeal, Pacific Northwest Area Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I know it might have been a disappointment for some to have so few attendees compared to what was expected. However, that was not the case for us, the contingent from the Jensen Suicide Prevention Peer Protocol (The JSP3©).  When Terry, Angel

Based on 6 myths about suicide. More information can be found at www.jsp3.org or in the book, “Just Because You’re Suicidal Doesn’t Mean You’re Crazy”. by Randi Jensen, MA, LMHC, CCDC, The myth that suicide is a short term decision. – TRUTH: Suicidality is a continuing progression of thought driven by feel good endorphins. It is a long-term coping mechanism.  TODAY YOU CAN…not admonish them but tell them it is not their fault. Help them understand how their suicidal thought has progressed over time based on conditioned response to the relieving thoughts of “not being here”. The myth that suicidality

There are some fundamental aspects of suicidality that I have learned through my research and decades of counseling suicidal people.  Find out more in my book, “Just Because You’re Suicidal Doesn’t Mean You’re Crazy“. Suicidality is amazingly common1 The action is usually impulsive and acute however the thought pattern that sets it in motion is chronic2 It has its basis in adverse childhood experiences3 The process is completely unconscious4 Thinking about suicide becomes an excellent and successful coping mechanism5 When faced with overwhelming situations which can’t be resolved by the individual (one feels helpless) This causes stress – elevated cortisol

My apologies to those who read my last blog which was the same as the one before. I’m still new at this…  My good friend just told me she is paralyzed with malaise. This is much the same situation I had just revealed to her. I sit here, with her in mind, wondering the same exact thing she tells me she wonders. I’d give almost anything to know what causes this overwhelming malaise. And along with it, of course, is that indescribable pain that we keep trying to describe, though nobody but another who has it seems to be able