Topic: “Stress and Anxiety”
Learn more and watch videos of Veterans sharing their experiences with stress and anxiety and what they did to get on a path to recovery.
Family Concern Prompts Air Force Engineer To Seek Help
Dave didn’t notice how much his temperament changed after his Air Force deployment, but his wife and children did. Persuaded to seek help, he received treatment for anxiety disorder and discovered how beneficial therapy can be. “They want to offer you solutions,” says Dave, now a Veteran.
4-minute read
Anger and Irritability, Family and Relationships, Stress and Anxiety
Therapy Equips Veteran To Navigate Depression
After Mary left the Army and became a military spouse, the Veteran experienced feelings of depression and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other tools for managing her symptoms have given her confidence that she can weather the low days, and outdoor activities like bird-watching lift her spirits.
3-minute read
Depression, Stress and Anxiety, Transitioning From Service
Therapy Helped Marine Navigate Grief and Transition
Marissa’s transition from active-duty service got off to a rough start, compounded by the death of a fellow Marine. Then therapy helped the Marine Corps Reservist strengthen her relationships and feel more connected.
2-minute read
Family and Relationships, Transitioning From Service, Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Mental Health Care Inspires Veterans To Embrace New Passions
This Mental Health Month, learn how some Veterans pursued treatment that helped them empower their recovery, manage their symptoms, embrace their passions, and improve their lives.
5-minute read
Transitioning From Service, PTSD, Family and Relationships, Stress and Anxiety, Depression, Problems with Alcohol
“Do Not Shy Away From Those Difficult Conversations”
How do you persuade a Veteran in your life to seek help for mental health challenges? First, you have to begin the conversation. Members from three Veteran families share what they learned about initiative and persistence in encouraging loved ones to seek and continue treatment — and how their efforts were rewarded.
5-minute read
Family and Relationships, PTSD, Stress and Anxiety, Depression, Trouble Sleeping, Physical Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury
Kelly’s Message to Veterans: “Tomorrow’s Another Day”
Kelly, a U.S. Navy Veteran who became a farmer after her service, turned to mental health care to harvest new hope for herself after trauma. Now she strives to plant the seeds for a better life for other Veterans and for youth in her community.
3-minute read
Depression, Stress and Anxiety, Military Sexual Trauma, Anger and Irritability
Mental Health Treatment Gives These Veterans a New Start
Addressing mental health challenges can open up new opportunities in family relationships, career pursuits, community connections and more. Veterans Tom, Michelle and Tony share the ways they blossomed after they sought treatment.
4-minute read
Transitioning From Service, PTSD, Family and Relationships, Military Sexual Trauma, Trouble Sleeping, Depression, Stress and Anxiety, Problems with Alcohol
When Sleep Is Stressful, Not Restful
Troubled sleep stemming from insomnia, nightmares or restlessness can be the cause or the effect of a mental health challenge, as these three Veterans learned.
4-minute read
Trouble Sleeping, Nightmares, Stress and Anxiety, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury
Marine Veteran Is Nurtured by Nature After Injury
Mother Nature and therapy returned what an injury stole from this Veteran: her identity, her self-esteem and her independence.
3-minute read
Physical Injury, PTSD, Stress and Anxiety
After Treatment for Substance Misuse, a Veteran Gains a Sense of Purpose
A Veteran shares his story of substance use disorder, treatment and finding his place in the world after the Army.
4-minute read
Stress and Anxiety, Problems with Alcohol, Homelessness, Financial and Legal Issues
Veterans on Managing Change and Anxiety
Two women Veterans suggest that confronting past trauma can help ease the anxiety associated with change and uncertainty.
3-minute read
Stress and Anxiety, Student Veterans, Transitioning From Service
Enduring Harassment, Confronting Pain and Finding Support: A Veteran’s Experience
Shirley, an Army and Navy Veteran, hid her experiences of sexual harassment and assault attempts for years. But after seeking treatment for a physical health concern, she also found mental health support that addressed painful memories and helped her find herself again.
3-minute read
Military Sexual Trauma, Stress and Anxiety, Transitioning From Service, Trouble Sleeping
Anniversary Effect Recalls Valencia’s Trauma
For years after serving in the Navy, Valencia experienced the “anniversary effect,” which occurs when the date or even the season in which a trauma occurred triggers an unexpected emotional reaction — sometimes long after the event.
4-minute read
Feelings of Hopelessness, Feeling on Edge, Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Managing Sensory Triggers
Three Veterans talk about the VA resources that taught them how to manage their sensory triggers.
3-minute read
Transitioning From Service, Stress and Anxiety, Feeling on Edge
LGBTQ+ Veterans Encourage Openness
Four Veterans discuss their experiences as LGBTQ+ Service members and how their lives changed when they could open up about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
2-minute read
Coming Out to Your Health Care Provider, Stress and Anxiety, Depression
More Than Mental Health
Three Veterans talk about the surprising ways their lives changed as they started managing their mental health symptoms. Learn what these Veterans Know during Mental Health Month and all year round.
4-minute read
Transitioning From Service, Problems with Alcohol, Stress and Anxiety
Veterans Discuss Isolation
These Veterans learned that isolation can be the cause or the result of physical and mental health conditions. They describe how it felt to be isolated, how it affected their lives, and what they did to start feeling better.
3-minute read
Family and Relationships, Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Jersey Jeanne Was Down — Not Out
After Jeanne broke her back while serving in the U.S. Air Force, she dealt with years of physical and mental health issues. The mysterious cause and effects of Jeanne’s career-ending injury left her searching for answers before she was diagnosed at VA.
2-minute read
Physical Injury, Anger and Irritability, Stress and Anxiety
Reclaiming Happiness
Hear how Daniel, a U.S. Navy photographer, learned to manage his PTSD symptoms with VA support.
3-minute read
PTSD, Transitioning From Service, Stress and Anxiety
Four Inspiring Stories From Women Veterans
Discover how these four women Veterans have overcome some of life’s toughest challenges and learned to thrive by taking care of their mental health.
7-minute read
Transitioning From Service, PTSD, Stress and Anxiety
Torn Between Worlds
Some Veterans experience trauma over and over because sudden flashbacks won't let them leave the past in the past.
5-minute read
PTSD, Flashbacks, Transitioning From Service, Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Stay Safe and Connected
When physically distancing from others, it’s important to prevent social isolation from setting in. In fact, during these stressful times, it may be more important than ever to connect emotionally with others and practice various methods of self-care to support your mental health.
2-minute read
Anger and Irritability, Jobs and Employment, Family and Relationships, Trouble Sleeping, Nightmares, Stress and Anxiety
Support for Women Veterans
“For You,” a new PSA from Make the Connection, highlights the challenges that women Veterans may face as mothers, wives, daughters, and friends.
2-minute read
Family and Relationships, Transitioning From Service, Stress and Anxiety
Learn How Veterans Got Back on Track
Maybe you don’t connect with your therapist in your first appointment. Maybe the treatment doesn’t make a noticeable impact right off the bat. Or, maybe you feel like you’re taking all the right steps, but nothing’s changing.
4-minute read
PTSD, Transitioning From Service, Stress and Anxiety
These Post-9/11 Women Veterans Open Up About Their Mental Health Journeys
Women Veterans share the challenges of living with depression and anxiety after leaving the service — and the support they’ve found to overcome these issues.
3-minute read
Transitioning From Service, Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Stay Active After Active Duty
Hear some Veterans describe how recreational activities enhance their mental well-being — and their lives.
3-minute read
PTSD, Transitioning From Service, Depression, Stress and Anxiety
"There’s So Much Hope Out There"
Lucinda, a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran, used alcohol to try to dull the pain after the death of her son. Through counseling, she’s found purpose and passion in her life again.
4-minute read
PTSD, Problems with Alcohol, Stress and Anxiety
An Air Force Colonel’s Mental Health Journey
Finding support to cope with his anxiety was the moment when this Air Force colonel started to feel like himself again — and when his family started noticing a positive difference.
4-minute read
Family and Relationships, Stress and Anxiety
Father and Son: Support Comes Full Circle
Liam was there every day when his father, Troy, was dealing with his anxiety after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Now, Troy is able to pass on the lessons he learned to his children.
4-minute read
Family and Relationships, Stress and Anxiety
How Can I Better Manage Stress?
Hear how these Veterans managed their stress and anxiety and got back to enjoying life.
3-minute read
Stress and Anxiety
When the Walls Come Down
Years after serving as a public affairs officer, Amber began to face panic attacks, depression, and more.
4-minute read
Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Veterans on Handling Anxiety
Hear these Veterans share how they cope with their anxiety.
5-minute read
Stress and Anxiety