This post is part of a year-long series, The Paradox Problem. You can go here to see the introduction to the series, and see all the articles in the series here. All of the branches of the service have core values that service members are expected to aspire and adhere to. The Army’s core valuesRead more about The Courage Paradox[…]
Read more The Courage ParadoxAre You A Veteran, Care For One, or Work With One in Any Way?
If you served in the military, regardless of when, where, how long, or how you left, you’re a member of a unique group of individuals who hold a common set of values, like Honor. Integrity. Loyalty. Service. If you’re a family member of a service member…spouse, parent, sibling, significant other…then you served in a different way, but served all the same. Head Space and Timing is focused on providing veterans, their family members, and interested members of the veteran’s community with the awareness around all aspects of veteran mental health. Our intent is not only to have real and meaningful discussions about mental health and wellness, but to support and inspire veterans to be able to use the strengths they gained while they were in the military to make a positive impact on their community, in whatever way they want.
Mental Health from a Combat Veteran Perspective
The unique combination of 22 years of military experience and training as a clinical mental health counselor combine to provide a unique perspective on veteran mental health
Duane France (Now)
Licensed Professional Counselor
Duane France (Then)
Retired Army Noncommissioned Officer
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Check out what people are saying about Head Space and Timing content
Jane S.
This Book is Incredibly Useful
Duane's understanding of the combat veteran experience is unparalleled. He does not however, assume that all vets or their experiences are the same, which is what makes this book so helpful to me as a provider who sees combat veterans in my work with horses. As a civilian, I am always hungry for resources that help me understand what's behind and beneath what we hear from veterans we meet, as well as resources to offer vets who see themselves as 'crazy'. This book is incredibly useful on both accounts. The distinctions Duane makes for vets to help them understand the dilemmas they may face coming home, as well as the distinctions he makes among the various 'categories' that define their inner landscapes are bound to help almost any veteran at any stage of readjustment to civilian life. The book is both a map and a compass (i.e. it's impossible to know how to get where one wants to go unless one knows where he or she is at any point in time). Another aspect of the book that is really important to us in our work, is that it de-stigmatizes the need for veterans to attend to their mental health. Going from the notion of mental illness to mental well-being is one of the biggest challenges both veterans and civilians need to do if veterans are going to become assets to their communities...and if we are going to fulfill our responsibility to truly serve those who have served us.
Joe M.
An Outstanding Read
Duane France is authentic. A combat veteran and clinical mental health counselor with a striking ability to articulate the thoughts of veterans. Several passages in this book are simply outstanding including Meaning, Purpose, and Veteran Mental Health; Moral Injury; The Doomsday Clock; Compliment or Criticism to name a few. Duane keeps things interesting throughout the book - some passages are contemplative, some have a twist of humor, and some contain good rules to live by as one transitions from the military. Duane’s authenticity is on display throughout the book, and it’s unmistakable to veterans in the following lines: 1. The problem is, a lot of the veterans I meet are carrying a load of personal accountability that is greater than they should. 2. As boring as this is, at least it’s not the sheer utter boredom of being stuck on an outpost with nothing but a pack of cards. 3. We keep thinking that someone is going to walk into their office and say, “Ha! Caught you! I know you’re just a grunt at heart! What are you doing here?” For mental health professionals who work with veterans the passage Eight Things a Mental Health Professional Wants a Veteran to Know is an insightful read and should be thoughtfully considered.
Daniele L.
A Veteran's Capacity for Stress
Fantastic explanation of how stress is affecting us without our awareness. I am a crisis counselor, working in the community with a multitude of different people, and I have found that my "emotional bucket" analogy to explain how stress/emotions can get backed up is effective across the age group. I have wrapped myself in circles trying to explain emotions to a rational person and all it does is agitate them further. What I have learned though is that awareness of our level of stress is paramount, because regardless of what we choose to believe we can handle our bodies cannot, leading individuals to be more susceptible to experiencing trauma, developing PTSD, increased risk from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, addiction... the list goes on and on. So while many people, especially Veterans, are able to push through and move on, in the long run, without the awareness of our emotional buckets, this can be damaging physically, mentally, and emotionally. Great article.
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Jan, 20
The Insomnia Paradox
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Jan, 13
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This post is part of a year-long series, The Paradox Problem. You can go here to see the introduction to the series, and see all the articles in the series here. We who have come back, by the aid of many lucky chances or miracles – whatever one may choose to call them – weRead more about The Survivor’s Guilt Paradox[…]
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Jan, 2
Announcing a new HS&T Series: The Paradox Problem
2020 was a strange and difficult year for many, if not most, of us. It was challenging for our mental health, physical health, social health, economic health…it was hard in so many ways. It was also a year of a break from writing for me; at the end of 2019, I realized that I wasRead more about Announcing a new HS&T Series: The Paradox Problem[…]
Read more Announcing a new HS&T Series: The Paradox ProblemDec, 31
STMSS Extra – Jamie Mustard – The Way Forward
About Today’s Guest: Jamie Mustard is the world’s leading authority on perception in the physical world. Steeped in the worlds of technology, product engagement, and the creative arts, Jamie consults with leading companies, CEOs, creative artists, etc., getting their messages, products, brands and ideas to STAND OUT to their desired audiences. This is the scienceRead more about STMSS Extra – Jamie Mustard – The Way Forward[…]
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Dec, 29
STMSS50 – Series Reflection with Duane and Shauna
About Today’s Show: Duane and Shauna reflect on the themes that emerged from the collective series, which include: Coordination and Collaboration, featuring MSG Tom Cruz Public Health Approach, featuring Dr. Matt Miller Risk Factors/Warning Signs featuring USMC Veteran David Bachmann Reaching out to support, featuring MG(R) Mark Graham Reducing stigma, featuring Kim Ruocco Other themesRead more about STMSS50 – Series Reflection with Duane and Shauna[…]
Read more STMSS50 – Series Reflection with Duane and ShaunaDec, 22
STMSS49 – Chris Jachimiec – Listener Response to STMSS Series
About Today’s Guest: Chris Jachimiec is a recently retired member of the United States Air Force. Over the course of his 20 year career he served in multiple military leadership roles in Nevada, Germany and Korea and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. He was named the Air Combat Command First Sergeant ofRead more about STMSS49 – Chris Jachimiec – Listener Response to STMSS Series[…]
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Dec, 15
STMSS48 – Dr. Bridget Matarazzo – Risk Identification and Clinical Consultation for Suicide Prevention
About Today’s Guest: Dr. Bridget Matarazzo is a Clinical Research Psychologist and the Director of Clinical Services at VA’s Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Internship at the Denver VA Medical Center and obtainedRead more about STMSS48 – Dr. Bridget Matarazzo – Risk Identification and Clinical Consultation for Suicide Prevention[…]
Read more STMSS48 – Dr. Bridget Matarazzo – Risk Identification and Clinical Consultation for Suicide PreventionDec, 8
STMSS47 – Michael Sugrue – Similarities Between Veteran and First Responder Suicide
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