Page 683 - Total War on PTSD Final

Because of the fast-paced nature of the world we live in, many Veterans may experience frustration at the lack of a quick-fix for their mental health. Encouraging Veterans, whether they are struggling with their mental health or not, to simply take time to pause and reflect on what they are going through is one of the many steps that can be taken before a veteran reaches the crux of suicidal behavior.
First, pausing promotes reflection on intentional choices rather than simply reacting to circumstances that may feel beyond ones’ control. Second, scientifically speaking, pausing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us to feel calm by reducing tension and anxiety. And, finally, once our nervous system calms down, we have more capacity to avoid reacting out of habit or raw emotion and instead choosing a more thoughtful and reflective path forward. To paraphrase Nelson Mandela, our choices in life should reflect our hopes, not our fears.
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Of course, the power of pause alone is not enough to reverse the suicide epidemic. Even if one does pause and acknowledge that they are struggling, what happens next? For example, when it comes to mental health, the culture of the military and asking for help are often at odds with one another. “I thought the definition of a man was to beat my chest and say, ‘I got this,’” states Rieman, reflecting on his own challenges overcoming military culture, “but if you want to look at yourself and be happy, you have to ask for help.”
Although significant progress has been made since the Vietnam era in acknowledging and treating PTSD, American society as a whole continues to struggle with the stigma around mental health. As elaborated on in a 2011 Government Accountability Office
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