Susan’s
a single mom
who works two jobs to support her son, Josh, in college.
She grew up
in a military family
and followed in her father’s footsteps to serve her country.
Aside from being a proud mom and Vet,
Susan enjoys gardening
and volunteering at the USO --
bringing out the best in others!
But, recently,
she’s been feeling down
and keeps to herself.
Her friends have noticed she hasn’t called.
At first, Susan thought it was just “Empty Nest Syndrome,”
after Josh left for college.
But, it’s more than that.
Most days, she thinks a lot about her past,
wishing things turned out differently…
And she regrets some decisions she made,
after her husband died.
She worries what the future will hold.
Susan tries to push away these negative thoughts,
but can’t.
She feels stuck
in a black hole.
Josh noticed this while home on semester break.
It reminded him of when his high school girlfriend had depression.
So,
Josh told his mom he was concerned.
Susan dismissed it at first,
but then Josh’s words got to her.
She realized she needed to do something to get “unstuck”
and move forward.
But, she didn’t know what to do.
So, Josh -- a computer science major --
went to “Dr. Google”.
At first, he found way too much information about treatments and resources.
What could he trust?
Then, he came across a public education website,
created by experts,
called “TreatmentWorksForVets”
He showed it to his mom.
She was skeptical.
But, she liked that it focused on Vets
and proven treatments.
One treatment stood out --
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy,
or "ACT".
She liked that it helps people get unstuck from difficult thoughts and feelings,
and move forward in their lives.
ACT is a talk therapy that teaches proven skills for accepting,
and not being controlled by, negative thoughts and feelings that lead to depression.
By freeing oneself of the weight of their thoughts and feelings,
ACT allows people with depression to take control over their lives.
ACT also helps people move forward
by helping them figure out and work toward what truly matters to them --
what they want their lives to be about.
Studies show ACT is effective in helping both Veterans and non-Veterans overcome depression
and lead more fulfilling lives.
And, it usually requires only 12-16 sessions.
Susan wasn’t much for therapy,
but ACT sounded different.
The idea of learning how to stop struggling with her thoughts and feelings,
and how to live the rest of her life in a way that really matters to her
made real sense.
So, she told Josh she’d give it a try.
Learn more about ACT for Depression,
and see Susan in treatment,
at TreatmentWorksForVets.org
