September is National Suicide Prevention Month
If you or a loved one is thinking about suicide, know that there are options available to help you. 988 is the national suicide prevention hotline and you can press option 1 for veteran specific services or text 838255.
To find out more options available through the VA visit
https:/ /www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/suicide-prevention/
Alex Lee, LPC-A
R U Ok? Day - September 9th
Today is R U OK? Day — a powerful reminder to check in with the people around us. Life can get busy, and it’s easy to assume everyone’s doing fine, but sometimes a simple “Are you okay?” is exactly what someone needs to hear. You don’t need to have all the answers — just being there and listening without judgment can make a real difference. Whether it’s a friend, fellow veteran, family member, or colleague, take a moment today to start a conversation that matters. A small question can lead to big change.
#RUOKDay #CheckIn
Mackenzie Gore, MHPS
Are you a trustworthy person?
Trust is instrumental and a key aspect in all parts of our lives—our relationships, our careers, and our leadership. Yet we rarely pause to ask the question, “Am I someone others can truly rely on?” Being trustworthy means having consistency, even in the rough patches.
At the core of trustworthiness are four essential qualities: transparency, honesty, fairness, and commitment. These daily actions create a pattern others can count on. Just as importantly, they can make and break a person’s reputation. When people see that you’re clear about your intentions, honest even when it’s difficult, fair in your treatment of others, and reliable in your actions, they begin to trust you. People who make themselves available to others in times of need matter more than we often realize.
Take a moment to reflect: Are you a “Midnight Friend” who could be called upon in time of need, and show up? Can you offer help without breaching someone’s trust or privacy? What’s one step you could take this week to become more credible and dependable in your actions?
What would it look like to be known as the person others turn to—because they know you’ll follow through, speak truthfully, and act with integrity?
“We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.”
2 Corinthians 8:21 (NLT). This passage highlights the importance of accountability to God, ourselves and others around us. How much more could you achieve in your relationships, career, and reputation if you were known as a “Man of Your Word?”
That kind of reputation isn’t built overnight—but it’s always within reach, if you want it.
Sandra McQuin, LCDC, LPC
Healthy and Unhealthy relationship beliefs
Healthy Relationship Beliefs
1) Seek Understanding and solutions, not blame
2) In a healthy close relationship, anything can be talked about
3) The best way to change a relationship is by changing your behavior
4) Creating good relationships is a skill to learn
5) While losing a relationship may be painful, I can mourn and move on.
6) It is better to be alone than in a bad relationship
7) A good relationship requires effort but is worth it
8) We need relationships in which both people’s needs are respected.
9) We need to cultivate relationships with a few people who really matter
10) With recovery, we can respect ourselves more and others will too.
11) Acceptance is the basis of healthy relationships
Unhealthy Relationship Beliefs
1) To believe that you are always wrong; the other person is always right.
2) I should hide what I really think and feel
3) The other person has to change
4) Bad relationships are all I can get
5) I cannot exist without _________.
6) It is better to be with someone destructive than to be alone.
7) Good relationships are easy.
8) I must take care of everyone else first; my needs come last.
9) I must be liked by everyone
10) I have no value to other people
11) I am not ________ enough for a relationship
