Veterans are special in many ways. They are heroes, warriors, moms, dads, brothers and sisters. But most importantly, they are human. They face many of the same emotional struggles and issues as those who have never served, but carry much more diverse baggage that remains unseen. Holidays are stressful for many us who do not struggle with the same issues as veterans. Although many of the signals are common, the mental and emotional burden veterans’ face can be insurmountable. Crisis lines are available to assist the vet with their particular range and various scopes of struggle.  Recognizing these signs in your loved one or by the vet themselves knowing something is “not right”, outreach programs are a valuable resource before the depressive things manifest into “dangerous” outcomes for the vet and the family as well. [Read more…]