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ONLINE GROUPSSometimes you just need to reach out across the internet to find a battle buddy. Or someone who has been in your shoes.
Trench Talk Thursdays @ 7:30pm CDT Courage Beyond (formerly Not Alone). Fort Riley Fort Stewart/HunterAAF |
INTEREST GROUPSFinding others who are interested in your hobbies is one of the best ways to escape this military life for a moment and just breathe. Here are a couple of options.
Book Club HWHV Her Strength |
IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUPS
What is better than a real-life hug and vote of support from a peer?
Her War, Her Voice has always understood the power of the words, “Me, too.” Now, HWHV has taken those words and moved them from the screen and into our groups. In our In-person groups, no judgement is allowed. No rank is discussed. And it is all about a military spouse and how to help her through. These groups are peer led, with the support of ACS and with the understanding that they are not for counseling. Thankfully, Courage Beyond has partnered with us and is willing to provide that support any time we need.
Her War, Her Voice has always understood the power of the words, “Me, too.” Now, HWHV has taken those words and moved them from the screen and into our groups. In our In-person groups, no judgement is allowed. No rank is discussed. And it is all about a military spouse and how to help her through. These groups are peer led, with the support of ACS and with the understanding that they are not for counseling. Thankfully, Courage Beyond has partnered with us and is willing to provide that support any time we need.
Fort Stewart Support Group
My interest in beginning an In-person support group emerged through the understanding that I needed a chance to connect with others who understood me. Yes, I had the online connections, but I wanted a chance to sit next to someone and hear her words, face-to-face. This required a lot of effort and a lot of time, but after lifting the HWHVgroup at Fort Riley, I decided I wanted groups at all installations, with the help of ACS, or similar branch outreach programs.
I look forward to continuing to grow our group and in reaching out to others who simply need to hear, “Me too.” |
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Fort Riley Support Group
My interest in HWHV at Riley was peaked at a Women’s Conference in February 2010. I sat and listened to this amazing woman tell her story that made me laugh and cry at the same time and I knew that there was a connection. I reached out to her immediately after and told her that I was very interested in helping her with her dream. A few months later, I watched her leave her baby behind and in my hands to nourish and grow. I had never had an experience like I had with the in-person group she led, the intense feeling went to my bones and permeated my soul and I knew that I had found a home. A place that I could help spouses in ways that they had never been helped before, a way that I had never been helped before but needed.
The subjects that we are touching on during the in-person groups are topics that are often off-limits for spouses of military because we are supposed to be strong and unstoppable and often we are anything but. We look at friendships, pain, anger, happiness, and so much more. There are no topics that are taboo because our spouses need them to be talked about. During times of deployment, many choose to keep a stiff upper lip and never let anyone see them cry and we ignore the toxic side-effects of closing it all away and letting no one in. At HWHV, we are knocking down those walls, tossing stones, breaking dishes, anything to bring all of it to the surface and to let each other know that they are not alone. That is why I continue to lead the in-person group at Riley, why I dig into the deep and scary. I do it because we need to do it and we need each other. Strength is not standing alone in the storm, it is asking for help and a safe harbor. |
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Courage Beyond at Centerstone provides confidential, no-cost or low-cost programs and services to warriors and their families facing PTSD and other invisible wounds of military service.
1 (866) 781-8010 |
Military OneSource
1(800) 342-9647 |
Military Crisis Line
1(800) 273-TALK (8255) |
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1(800) 273-TALK (8255) |
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More From Courage Beyond
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RetreatsWorking along side Courage Beyond, Her War Her Voice has been and continues to be proud to offer retreats to military spouses and caretakers.
Our goal with each retreat is to help those on them find themselves again, outside of their responsibilities, requirements, and what they’ve been told to be and become. So far, we’ve held 3 retreats- the first in Beersheba, TN, the second in Lakeside, MT, and the third in Nashville, TN. Each retreat is put together to provide an environment of love and care for each person there, giving them a safe space to breath and be, which we continue to provide online after each retreat. |
Thanks to Courage Beyond, every retreat is provided with a Courage Beyond counselor for the retreat attendants to speak with as needed or wanted, and a safety net for counseling afterwords.
If you are interested in any of our future retreats, or to learn more about them, contact us via email or message us on our Facebook page Her War Her Voice.
If you are interested in any of our future retreats, or to learn more about them, contact us via email or message us on our Facebook page Her War Her Voice.
