Call for Testimonials: We're seeking MBSR/MBCT Grad Veterans

August 10, 2014: We had a discussion at Monday's group here in Wilmington VA about the importance of having participation on the mindfulvets.net website. As we expand the site to include mindful vets outside the Delaware area, the future plan is to contact VA and non-VA mindfulness centers and personnel to invite and encourage joining our site. We know of one non-profit in Arizona which already uses some powerful video testimonials of vets who took MBSR and use mindulness in coping with PTSD etc. We will be asking them to recommend our site to their vets, MBSR or MBCT graduates, or any vets interested in mindfulness/meditation.

We're thinking that in order to grow the site and become a resource for mindful vets everywhere, we therefore need to have more 'meat on the bones' as it were. Now we have a good amount of information on our site about mindfulness, MBSR and veterans. Next we need to build a virtual community through the site. This is where your help is essential.

As far as the credibility of our site goes, one of the things we are sorely lacking is some statements or testimonials from our current site members about their experience with mindfulness MBSR etc. So I wanted to fill you all in on some details of this request which we discussed and give some practical tips; note also that my request was echoed by Dr Tedesco who is asking us to share our stories and experiences with mindfulness/meditation as vets, as the exercise of composing this may benefit us ourselves, as well as others.

Here's a few things to help make it a bit easier for you:

I. We are asking for your testimonials which you can submit several ways:

1. By posting your typed testimonial into the 'reply' part of the thread starting here(log-in first): mindfulvets.net/thread/140/call-testimonials-seeking-mbsr-veterans

We suggest composing it off-line by handwriting or in your word processor or text editor of your computer and then cut and pasting it into your 'reply'.

2. Post your story by creating your own 'Thread" in the forum. You could actually have your own folder where you could routinely share your thoughts or discussions about your own practice. Many similar forums do this, and it's a way for members to get to know each other and to keep in touch.

3. You can send it to user name Admin here on the forum in an email (dhisu@mail.com) and we'll post it in your name (pen name).

4. You can create a video testimonial and let me know about it. We haven't decided yet on where or how we'll put the videos,but probably through Youtube or Google+. In any case, prepare your story and then record it using your smartphone or camera. I'll take it from there.

5. You can also record an audio file by digital recorder (also possible on almost all phones today). It will probably be an mp3 file, which you can email to me. Again, questions on how to do this? Just ask me.

6. An important thing is privacy of course. We suggest that you use the username you have on the site, or you can go into your registered settings and even change your username. This would be your 'pen name' for your posts. We'd get your story out there without your privacy being compromised. Actually I would suggest that some of you do that now anyway, particularly if you first joined when it was only a few of us in Delaware and you just put your first name. You can create an avatar (an icon symbolic of you) and a username. You'll probably feel freer to share personal stuff that way.

II. Guidance for what's in your testimonial:

Here's what I think will make for a helpful testimonial:

1. State your age, gender, branch of service, years of service, service connected status (%),where you served.
2. Talk about what led you to MBSR/mindfulness, include any official diagnosis you may have received.
3. Talk about what your MBSR 8 weeks was like and your early uses of mindful meditation etc.
4. Talk about problem areas and challenges you were dealing with before MBSR and how you were different afer MBSR.
5. Then, especially if you've been at it for a long time, look back and share how you have changed over time. Being specific is nice as it rings true.
6. You then might share some details of your present mindfulness routine, how you integrate it into your life.
7. Then end with a message of encouragement to other veterans to give it a shot, or anything else you want to add by way of encouragement. Keeping in mind that maybe,someday, somewhere some vet far away may be all alone and lonely, considering suicide when he or she sees/hears or reads your story. Reach out to them. You never know.

For example, here's some sample fictitious testimonial phrasings, bare bones approach:

I am a (branch of service) veteran discharged in (year). I served in (theatre) from __ to __. In (year) I was diagnosed with (xxx.,PTSD, chronic pain and Agent Orange syndrome), also dealing with Anxiety and depression for years. I am a recovering alcoholic, sober for 10 years. I was referred to take MBSR by my therapist when my anti-depressants stopped working.... I took the 8 week MBSR course at Wilmington VA in 2014. I now meditate almost every day and try to get to the weekly sessions for MBSR grads. I use mindfulness in the following ways: I do a 5 minute 'dropping in' breathing exercise when I get up in the morning and short 1-2 minute 'drop ins' during my work day. I like mindful walking which I try to do on my lunch break when I can. I usually do some sitting meditation after I get off work, usually 20-30 minutes. At bedtime I do a body scan before trying to sleep. I also listen to various mindfulness tapes I got from Dr X....

What has changed for me since MBSR and meditation: I still deal with flashbacks from combat but in most cases I can use my mindfulness tools and have fewer extreme episodes. I am very fond of using CD guided meditations when I get wound up due to some sort of PTSD thing.....
(..person here can add details of how things are different, such as if use of meds is different, less, whatever; also comments of family members/others about how I am now as compared to before MBSR, that sort of thing).

Close with what your mindfulness practice means to you and words of encouragement(even inspiration) to other vets to consider MBSR and related tools.
Thank you! Dana (Admin)