Veterans Mental Health Council

Veterans Mental Health Council We partner with veterans, the VA, and the community to develop the range of services needed by veterans and their families.

Meetings are held virtually via Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm. To participate, contact us at info@veteransmentalheathcouncil.org, and we will send you the link. We welcome Veterans and family members utilizing VA behavioral health services to join our council. For inquiries or to share your concerns, please email us at info@veteransmentalhealthcouncil.org. We're here to advocate and improve services for all.

11/14/2025

Mental illness isn't a choice.

No one chooses to be so depressed they can’t get out of bed.
No one chooses to be so anxious they have panic attacks every single day.
No one chooses a mental illness that makes life harder.

Mental illness isn’t weakness.
It isn’t laziness.
It isn’t attention-seeking.

It’s invisible pain.
It’s emotional exhaustion.
It’s fighting battles no one else can see.

Sometimes it’s smiling when you’re breaking inside.
Sometimes it’s pretending to be okay because you don’t want to be a burden.
Sometimes it’s waking up each morning and choosing to keep going—even when it hurts.

So if someone’s struggling, don’t ask why they’re like this.
Ask how you can stand beside them.

💜 Let’s make space for the battles we can’t see.
Let’s remind each other that healing takes time—and that it’s okay to not be okay.

Operation Deep Dive research by Duke University says as many as 44 veterans could be dying a day to su***de. The counci...
11/13/2025

Operation Deep Dive research by Duke University says as many as 44 veterans could be dying a day to su***de. The council has a display of 44 pairs of combat boots. Each with an individual name-their branch on a dog tag around the boot. Today the display was at the MO state capitol rotunda

11/12/2025

Too often, society looks down on people battling mental health challenges—as if depression, anxiety, or trauma are signs of weakness. We label, we whisper, and we judge, forgetting that anyone can struggle at any point in life.
The truth is, mental illness does not define a person; it’s something they experience, not who they are.
Many suffer in silence because of fear—fear of being misunderstood, mocked, or rejected. But silence only deepens the pain. We must learn to replace judgment with empathy, and stigma with support. Everyone deserves to be heard, to be treated with dignity, and to know that their story matters.
It’s time we remind ourselves that mental health is just as important as physical health. Seeking help doesn’t make you weak—it shows courage.
Let’s create a culture where compassion speaks louder than stigma and where people feel safe to say, “I’m not okay,” without shame. 💜

11/11/2025

Today, we honor and thank all who have served. If you're a Veteran or service member who's struggling, you don't have to face it alone. Call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line for emotional support - anytime, day or night.

For more resources, visit 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/veterans-service-members.

Trauma comes in many forms. It’s not always one single event, and it doesn’t always show up right away. Understanding th...
11/11/2025

Trauma comes in many forms. It’s not always one single event, and it doesn’t always show up right away. Understanding the four main types of trauma can help you recognize what you’ve been through—and remind you that healing is possible.

💥 1. Acute Trauma
Comes from a single overwhelming event—like a car accident, combat incident, or assault. It leaves the body and mind stuck in “survival mode.”

⚔️ 2. Chronic Trauma
Results from repeated exposure to distressing events—such as years of combat, abuse, or prolonged stress. Over time, it wears down emotional resilience.

🕰️ 3. Complex Trauma
Occurs when multiple or ongoing traumatic experiences build up, often starting early in life. It affects identity, trust, and emotional regulation.

🌪️ 4. Secondary (or Vicarious) Trauma
Happens when you absorb others’ pain—common among medics, caregivers, and those who support others through trauma.

💡 Remember:
No matter what kind of trauma you’ve faced, it’s valid. Your pain is real, and recovery is possible with time, patience, and support.

👉 You don’t have to walk this road alone. Visit the Veterans Mental Health Council (VMHC) https://veteransmentalhealthcouncil.org/ for connection, healing, and community.

Today, we salute every veteran who has served with honor, courage, and selflessness. To the men and women who stood in t...
11/11/2025

Today, we salute every veteran who has served with honor, courage, and selflessness. To the men and women who stood in the gap, carried the weight of freedom, and continue to serve in their own quiet ways — thank you.

Your strength, sacrifice, and resilience are the foundation of this nation. Whether you fought on the front lines, supported from behind the scenes, or now fight invisible battles within, your service still matters. You have earned not just gratitude, but care, healing, and peace.

💡 Today and every day:
• We honor your courage.
• We acknowledge your sacrifices.
• We stand beside you on the journey of healing.

From all of us — we salute you and wish you a meaningful, peaceful Veterans Day. 🇺🇸

👉 For community, resources, and support, visit the Veterans Mental Health Council (VMHC) https://veteransmentalhealthcouncil.org/.

Veterans—when you’ve spent years in high-stress environments or learned to “push through,” emotions can feel confusing o...
11/10/2025

Veterans—when you’ve spent years in high-stress environments or learned to “push through,” emotions can feel confusing or even uncomfortable. But here’s the truth: your feelings are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged. Validation doesn’t mean you like how you feel—it means you recognize your emotions without judgment.

When you validate what’s happening inside you, your nervous system begins to calm. You move from reacting to responding—from surviving to healing.

💡 Here’s how to start:
1. Name it. Say what you’re feeling—“I’m angry,” “I’m sad,” or “I feel overwhelmed.”
2. Accept it. Remind yourself: “It’s okay to feel this way. My emotions make sense given what I’ve been through.”
3. Breathe and pause. Give your body a moment to process before you act.
4. Offer compassion. Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to a brother or sister in arms who’s struggling.

Healing from PTSD, depression, or anxiety begins with honoring what’s true in this moment. Your emotions are messengers, not enemies.

👉 You don’t have to navigate them alone. Visit the Veterans Mental Health Council (VMHC) https://veteransmentalhealthcouncil.org/ for support, understanding, and community.

Read that again: You are not a burden.When you’ve carried the weight of trauma, loss, or invisible pain for too long, it...
11/09/2025

Read that again: You are not a burden.

When you’ve carried the weight of trauma, loss, or invisible pain for too long, it’s easy to believe that asking for help makes you “too much.” But it doesn’t. You’ve spent years being strong for others—it’s okay to let others be strong for you now.

Your struggles don’t make you a problem to fix—they make you human. The people who care about you want to help. They want to see you heal, to see you find peace. You are worthy of love, rest, and understanding—exactly as you are, right now.

💡 Remember:
• Reaching out isn’t weakness—it’s courage.
• You are not defined by your pain.
• You deserve to be cared for, not hidden away.

👉 You are not alone in this. Visit the Veterans Mental Health Council (VMHC) https://veteransmentalhealthcouncil.org/
for connection, support, and community that understands your journey.

11/09/2025

Seasonal Depressive Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression--a condition in which some people experience a significant mood change when the seasons change--occurring usually during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight, and the days get shorter. Learn more from https://ow.ly/xouJ50XmtKq

Sending Love to the Men Who Are Struggling 💙To the men who have thought about su***de…To the men who wake up each day ba...
11/08/2025

Sending Love to the Men Who Are Struggling 💙

To the men who have thought about su***de…
To the men who wake up each day battling anxiety…
To the men who carry the quiet weight of depression…

This is for you. 💭

You are not weak for feeling deeply. You are not broken for needing help. You are human—and your life has value beyond measure. So many veterans and men suffer in silence, believing they must “handle it alone.” But healing begins the moment you reach out and let someone in.

PTSD, depression, and anxiety are not signs of failure—they’re signs that you’ve carried too much for too long. You deserve peace, rest, and hope.

💡 Remember:
• Asking for help is a form of strength.
• You are not a burden.
• The world is better with you in it.

👉 If you’re struggling tonight, please reach out. Visit the Veterans Mental Health Council (VMHC) https://veteransmentalhealthcouncil.org/
for support, or call 988 (Press 1 for Veterans) to connect with someone who cares—right now.

11/08/2025

Whatever you're going through, you don't have to face it alone. 💙

Call, text, or chat 988 anytime. Our compassionate counselors are here to listen, offer support, and provide resources. You deserve care, and someone ready to be there for you.

Sometimes the noise of life, the weight of memories, and the quiet of loneliness can make you forget just how deeply you...
11/07/2025

Sometimes the noise of life, the weight of memories, and the quiet of loneliness can make you forget just how deeply you’re valued. But hear this truth: you are loved. Not for what you’ve done, but for who you are.

You’ve sacrificed, served, and stood strong in ways most never could. That courage still matters. Even when you feel unseen, there are people—and a God—who see you, care for you, and want you here.

💡 Remember:
• Love doesn’t fade when you struggle—it grows deeper.
• You are worthy of rest, peace, and joy.
• You are not alone—ever.

👉 If today feels heavy, reach out. Connection is where healing begins. Visit the Veterans Mental Health Council (VMHC) https://veteransmentalhealthcouncil.org/ for support, understanding, and community that reminds you—you are loved.

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Columbia, MO
65201

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+15734186658

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