Ashley Craig, second from left, leads a mental health training for veterans and their relatives Friday in John W. Hargis Hall.
In 2020, Ashley Craig, encouraged by her veteran husband to seek support, hoped to find a group that would understand her experiences as a military spouse. She decided to join a program held by the Veteran Spouse Network, an initiative within the Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. The moment she met the other spouses in the program, she no longer felt alone.
“(Serving in the military) not only affects the veterans; it impacts the entire family, which is why getting support is so critical,” Craig said. “We often think of relationships as a house. (If) one of those walls is cracking, you want to build up the other sides.”
Now, Craig serves as the marketing development and training manager for the Veteran Spouse Network, which facilitates a community of peer support for military and veteran spouses and committed partners. On Aug. 2, the Veteran Spouse Network held an all-day Mental Health First Aid event for military service members, veterans and their families. Participants discussed recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, listening without judgment, giving reassurance and referring loved ones to professional support and services.
“We talk a lot about non-judgemental listening,” Craig said. “A lot of times I use the joke, ‘I’m a tree,’ (meaning) I’m here (and) I’m listening. I just take it in. … Then you (can look at the) barriers they could be facing and see if you can conquer them together.”
Craig said participants also learn about the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on military service members and veterans.
“You never know what is going to trigger their PTSD,” Craig said. “It could be a sound. It could be a smell. It could be being in a room full of people. … Going to the movies is difficult (for my husband because) it’s uncomfortable being in the dark where (it’s) so unpredictable what could happen.”
Amanda Barkster, a participant in the training and an Army Reserve soldier […]
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