Rose of Sharon Jewelry

With the Iraq war “officially” ending, thousands of troops will be returning to their lives. Many will be looking for work, trying to rebuild relationships and seeking medical care.

Thank you just won’t be enough for the men and women who paid the price for our government’s idiocy. But no matter how you feel about the Iraq war, we owe them a lot more than a welcome back sign. And our thanks can only be measured by our long-term response to the physical and emotional needs of these soldiers.

After reading this post, I urge you to contact your representatives in Congress and insist that a comprehensive plan be developed to assist the hundreds of Iraq war veterans. Here’s why they need us:

1. 1 in 8 are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
2. Hidden emotional damage and stress factors will impact families.
3. Over a million Iraq/Afghanistan vets will seek medical care over the next decade
4. Veterans’ hospitals and clinics are at or above capacity.
5. Vet’s reluctant to see psychiatric help because of red-tape, long wait periods and stigma.
6. High homeless rate among all veterans will continue.
7. Suicide rates exceed national averages.
8. Spousal abuse by returning soldiers has escalated significantly.
9. Alcohol and drug abuse is rampant among veterans.
10. Stigma of service may hurt a Vet’s job search
11. Poor economy = means no jobs. Although large companies are required to “keep” jobs for Veterans – this simply won’t be a reality for returnees.

I could go on and on but you get the picture. It is our responsibility and duty to support all Veterans.

Here are a few resources to help Veterans.

• Donate to veteran support, find counseling, job search assistance and more at National Veterans Foundation
• Assistance for wounded Vets at Wounded Warrior Project
• Job assistance at USA Cares
• PTSD support at Military Mental Health Organization
• Veterans Guide to PTSD
• Veterans Benefits – Dept. of Veterans Affairs
• VA Disability for Drug and Alcohol Problems

Be supportive to a Veteran and his/her family with compassion, support and most of all be there to listen.

$40K in federal stimulus funds to help victims of childhood abuse in Reno area. Free therapy from UNR Crime Treatment Center can expand thanks to this money.

Victims of childhood abuse often have to go it alone as mental health care is barely covered by insurance plans. The university’s Victims of Crime Treatment Center can now expand their free services to childhood physical abuse victims. The center has offering free assistance to sexual assult and sexual abuse victims for over 14 years.

Most of us have seen new construction and road projects being funded with stimulus dollars but to have funds be directed to individual citizens is wonderful.

The Reno-Gazette Journal reports that these funds are “strickly to help victims of physical abuse that happened to them when they were childredn.”  No age limit has been set; however, more recent victims will be given priority.

This service is free for all Nevada residents. For more information, contact, the University of Nevada – Reno at 775-682-8680 or http://sexualassaulthelp.info.

A special thanks to the legislators who cared enough to include this in one of those huge “who-knows-what-happening” bills.

Emotional health is the foundation of personal wealth. We seek it out but often it eludes us. Here are the 5 things I know for certain that are critical to good emotional health.

1. A way to keep your mind busy. This can be a hobby or perhaps a stimulating job. Don’t spent money on puzzles and other solitary pursuits – get out in the world and immerse yourself. Helping others is a great way to keep your own problems in perspective.
2. A way to keep your hands busy. You know the saying about “idle hands”. Studies have proven that manual labor increases our feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Plant a garden, volunteer at a food bank or take up knitting.
3. A sense of value. Build a life of value – it’s not too hard just be honest, work hard, share often and help others.
4. A spiritual or religious belief. The exploration of a spiritual path or being active in your church or mosque helps us develop a moral compass and keeps us humble.
5. People you love and who love you. We are not solitary creatures. Science has proven that family and friends add years to our life – and they add life to our years! Hate your relatives – start your own family by gathering people around you who you can love!

Best wishes as you increase your emotional health and personal wealth.

The number 1 is a lonely number – 32 is a tragedy. 32 soldiers (7 in Iraq and Afghanistan) killed themselves in June. No words can express the sorrow.

We owe these men and women more than just a “how sad”. To learn more and watch the video, Shoulder to Shoulder: I will never quite on life ,visit this Army suicide prevention site.

I’ve also put the video here for you to watch. Please take a few minutes to follow up with your Congressperson about additional mental health support for our military.

I don’t know anyone in the service nor have I ever experienced a suicide in the family. However, I do know what depression can do to a person and feel strongly that the American public has a responsibility to these soldiers.

A recent Scientific Mind article pondered reasons why depression has increased in the Baby Boomer and younger generations. It seems that moving away from work activities that engage the hands and mind plus result in a tangible reward may be a cause.  And one potential “treatment” may be crafting!

In the not too distant past, we physically raised our own food, chopped our own wood and made our own clothing.  The rewards of a healthy, tasty dinner, a warm place to sleep and enjoying a soft new sweater were a direct result of our actions!

Studies have shown that this action/reward pattern stimulates the parts of the brain that relate to happiness and our feelings of well-being. Work has become disconnected from rewards.

We now earn money (that we never even hold in our hands) in a less physical manner and our brains miss out on the rewards. We run for take-out, pay the electric bill, shop online for shoes while we collectively feel more unhappy or depressed.

The rewards we are giving ourselves aren’t as fulfilling now and simply don’t last very long. That’s why scientists who study happiness believe more and more people overspend. Don’t we all know someone who has a dress or two in their closet that has never been worn? The high evaporated before they got home.

Rebuilding the action/reward connection may be as simple as starting a new hobby that requires your hands, multi-step learning and complex brain activities. What better way to do that than to craft?

So get off the computer, turn off the TV and get out the knitting needles or pick up a pair of pliers. Knitting, crocheting, polymer clay work, intricate beading and other crafts can be a great way to ward off depression.

As my Granny always said “busy hands mean happiness.”