Military sexual trauma

• BWF cites ways to tackle the multiple, often intersecting, factors contributing to veteran homelessness.
• While great strides have been made in reducing veteran homelessness—we've seen an 11% decline from 2020-22—all veterans do not experience the same risk for homelessness.
• While progress has been made to reduce veteran homelessness, significant hurdles remain," said Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
• The Foundation, which announced its fall 2023 investments this week, has invested in six organizations that work to address veteran homelessness.

• It notes that Service Dogs have been providing such assistance since 1929, and that evidence-based research has shown that "Service Dogs provide numerous health and fitness benefits."
• "National Service Dog Day will help to recognize how invaluable these incredible canines are to our American heroes.
• "I appreciate my colleagues unanimously passing this resolution to recognize National Service Dog Day – a way to raise awareness about the unique training and tasks that Service Dogs perform to enable Veterans with disabilities to live life to the fullest."
• I am proud to join Chairman Bost in declaring September 20th as National Service Dog Day.

• Season two of the series Heartstopper on Netflix brings out an issue that is often hidden – male eating disorders.
• Centred on two teenage boys in love, the show helps bust the common perception that eating disorders are only seen in girls and women.
• In one episode of the series, based on a series of graphic novels, Nick asks Charlie about his eating because he is becoming worried about him.

A range of disorders

• Body dissatisfaction comes from not liking one’s size, shape and weight and leads some boys and men down the dangerous path to an eating disorder.
• An eating disorder is an unhealthy relationship with one’s body and eating and includes such disorders as anorexia nervosa (fear of weight gain and deprivation of food), bulimia nervosa (which typically involves eating large amounts and then purging) and binge-eating disorder.

What drives it

• Seeing one’s own body as inferior in comparison can lead to attempts to change it.
• Other factors involved in the development of an eating disorder can be parental or peer teasing about appearance, especially about weight.
• Poor self esteem, a need for control (as articulated by Heartstopper character Charlie), experiencing sexual trauma and identity disturbance are also drivers.

Dangerous methods

• Boys and men may engage in dieting and other weight-loss methods to try and change or control their body.
• Some may even turn to drugs to try and alter their body.

Getting help early

• Early intervention is the key to fostering a positive body image and self-esteem in young males.
• Early intervention is backed by evidence but help often comes too late.
• People who get help early, particularly in their adolescent years when eating disorders often first start, have a good success rate with the right treating team.
• If you or someone you know may be suffering from an eating disorder getting help fast is important before the eating disorder really takes hold.
• Education about and becoming more aware of this issue and knowing how to get help is critical.

• According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 20 veterans die from suicide daily, making it the second-leading cause of death for veterans.
• As a veteran, I have seen firsthand how powerful these non-traditional modalities can be,” said Neil Markey, CEO of Beckley Retreats.
• The partnerships renewed today represent some of the many efforts from Beckley Waves , which supports and funds Beckley Retreats, focused on furthering psychedelic-assisted therapies and research.
• Beckley Waves is working to create the operational infrastructure of a global psychedelic ecosystem and advocating for improved mental health services vital to their collective goals.