Women Veterans Project LEAP

🧠 Emotional well-being isn’t about “controlling” your feelings — it’s about understanding how you respond to them.

This article explores emotion regulation — the ways we manage our emotions, their intensity, and how they show up in our lives. Research shows that “positive-approaching” tactics (things that move us toward support, clarity, and problem-solving) are more likely to improve mood than strategies rooted in avoidance or suppression. Why this matters for women veterans:

Many of us were trained to:
-push emotions down
-stay mission-focused at all costs
-minimize discomfort
-keep moving no matter what

Those habits may help in high-stress environments — but over time, they can take a toll on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

Emotion regulation doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay.
It means choosing responses that support healing instead of silence.

Some examples include:
-seeking social support instead of isolating
-reframing setbacks as learning moments
-adjusting your environment to reduce overwhelm
-redirecting attention when stress is escalating
-allowing yourself to feel — without judgment

These are skills. They can be learned, practiced, and strengthened.

📖 Read the full article here:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/finding-a-new-home/202412/a-guide-to-powerful-techniques-for-emotional-well-being

At Women Veterans Project LEAP, we believe mental wellness starts with awareness, education, and compassion — for ourselves and for one another.

📌 Supporting Veteran Su***de Prevention at the Community Level

Since 2022, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $210 million to community-based organizations nationwide to help prevent veteran su***de and strengthen local support systems.

These grants support organizations providing:
-mental health services
-crisis intervention
-peer support
-outreach to underserved veteran populations
-family and caregiver support

Access to local, community-based care can save lives — and knowing where support exists is critical.

🔗 View this year’s list of funded organizations offering local support:
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/

At Women Veterans Project LEAP, we believe prevention begins with awareness, access, and connection. We encourage veterans and families to explore these resources and share them widely.

***dePrevention

📌 Important VA Update for Veterans & Families

The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded access to the Accelerated Benefit Option (ABO) under SGLI, FSGLI, and VGLI — the first major update since 1998.

This change allows:

🔹An alternate applicant to apply for ABO benefits if an insured servicemember or veteran is medically incapacitated

🔹Insured members to apply for an ABO payout when a covered spouse is terminally ill

The ABO allows eligible individuals to receive up to 50% of their life insurance benefit in advance, providing critical financial support during serious illness.

🔗 Learn more at:
https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2025-08-20/veterans-health-care-access-18827530.html

At Women Veterans Project LEAP, we believe access to clear, timely information can make a real difference — especially for women veterans and their families navigating complex systems.

Happy Birthday to the National Guard — 389 years young today! 🇺🇸

Thank you to every Guardsman and Guardswoman who has answered the call to serve their communities, their states, and this nation — in times of crisis and in times of calm.

Your service, sacrifice, and commitment do not go unnoticed. 💙

"Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) is hosting the 2025 Veteran Career Accelerator Virtual Hiring Event on Wednesday, December 17. This event will be nationwide and take place from 11am-3pm EST. It is open to all Veterans, Service members, and military spouses. This event will feature dozens of top federal, private, and non-profit employers who are hiring for well-paying positions around the country. There will also be community resources available." via US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

To register to participate, visit: https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/military-hire/e/7ZPxL