October 2024 Newsletter - Menopause, Mental Health, and Domestic Violence Awareness

Friday, October 04, 2024

Women Warriors Connect Newsletter/Mental Health/October 2024 Newsletter - Menopause, Mental Health, and Domestic Violence Awareness

Hey Women Warriors, 

October is Menopause Awareness Month, National Mental Health Month, and Domestic Violence Prevention Month. While that may sound like a lot to tackle, we're also celebrating the Ms. Veteran America Competition. 

Let's Go!​

WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DISCOVER…

- Test Your Knowledge: Women Veteran Milestone Trivia
- Behind Closed Doors: Unveiling the Truth of Domestic Abuse
- The Menopause Chronicles: A Hot Mess
- Mark Your Calendar: October's Special Observances
- Motivational Memo
- VA Support: Menopause Help—Better Late Than Never
- All Hands on Deck: Discover More About Navy Day
- Free Resources
- Crowning Courage: The Ms. Veteran America Competition
- VA Claims Corner - Top 5 Reasons VA Claims Get Denied.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: Women Veteran Milestone Trivia

In what year did Congress authorize the admission of women to military service academies?

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Have you ever written down your Stories of Service?

Have you ever wanted to write down your military stories but felt unsure where to start or never found the time? This keepsake journal is designed for women veterans like you—offering guided prompts and the perfect space to capture your experiences, so your legacy can finally be preserved. Who knows? It might be the beginning of a book you write one day.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: UNVEILING THE TRUTH OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

I do not have personal experience with domestic violence, but I have a very clear memory of two incidents that occurred during my military career and I will never forget them.

The first instance did not involve military personnel. I was living in a temporary apartment just outside the gate of the base, so close to the flight line that C-130’s taking off rattled my few belongings, and we had golf balls from the base golf course bouncing through the parking lot on most days.

I remember waking up to sounds that ended up being a woman walking around in the parking lot who was naked and just wrapped in a blanket. Upon further investigation by the police, she had been shot in the head by her partner who had barricaded them in their apartment with a mattress in front of the door. He had completed his own gun shot suicide but she survived his attempted murder.

I was just a small town girl and it rocked me to the core.

The second instance happened in base housing at my second duty station. This time it was a military service member who attacked his wife. He completed his act of murder suicide.

Sometimes the domestic violence shows up in different ways, and it’s not as easy to spot.
- Verbal abuse is a pattern of speaking with the intent to demean, humiliate, blame or threaten the victim.
- Emotional abuse is when an abuser will manipulate a survivor’s feelings in order to control that partner. 
- Financial abuse is oftentimes cited as the reason why a survivor feels trapped indefinitely with an abuser.
- Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual contact obtained by force, threats or when a victim is unable to consent.

In the U.S., about 59 million women have experienced intimate partner violence, which includes physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking, according to the CDC. About 1 in 4 women (25%) in the U.S. will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at some point in their lifetime (The Hotline).

Women who served in the military are 1.6 times more likely to experience domestic violence compared to civilian women. They estimate that between 30% and 70% of women veterans have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime​(DomesticShelters.org)​(U.S. Medicine).

If you are experiencing, have experienced or have observed domestic violence, my heart goes out to you. Please know that you are not alone and there is help. See the resources section for more domestic abuse resources.

THE MENOPAUSE CHRONICLES: A HOT MESS

It all started one fine morning when Linda woke up feeling like she had been dropped in the middle of the Sahara Desert. “Did the thermostat break?” she muttered, kicking off her covers with the force of an Olympic swimmer. Her husband, snoring peacefully beside her, was wrapped in a cocoon of blankets like he was preparing for winter hibernation. “Is it just me?” she wondered aloud, already knowing the answer.

By noon, Linda was at work, typing furiously, when suddenly her brain short-circuited. Mid-sentence, she forgot what she was doing. “What was I...?” she trailed off, staring at the screen. "Ah, yes, working. Or was I Googling something? Why did I open this browser tab?"
Minutes later, she found herself in the office kitchen, holding a spoon. “Why did I come in here?” she asked the coffee machine, which offered no answers. “Oh right, tea. No, wait, I wanted a snack. Maybe I’ll just eat the spoon.”

That night, she curled up on the couch, craving relaxation. But relaxation was not in the cards because her body decided it was time for the next event on the menopausal circus: mood swings. One minute, she was laughing at a rerun of her favorite sitcom, and the next minute, tears were streaming down her face because the cat looked at her "too lovingly."

“I’m a walking soap opera,” Linda sighed, wiping away tears with one hand and fanning herself with the other. “Next thing you know, I’ll start narrating my own life.”

As if on cue, the night sweats returned with a vengeance at 2 a.m., leaving her drenched and convinced she was either fighting an invisible fever or suddenly possessed by a tropical rainforest. “It’s like my body is auditioning for a role in ‘Survivor: Bedroom Edition,’” she grumbled, kicking the covers off for the 47th time.

But in the end, Linda laughed at it all, realizing that menopause was just another season in life—a season full of surprises, spontaneous heat waves, and more mood swings than a soap opera marathon. And while she couldn’t control her body’s wild ride, she could certainly enjoy the humorous chaos along the way.

October is Menopause Awareness, Domestic Violence Prevention, and National Mental Health Month.
Oct 13 - U.S. Navy Birthday
Oct 13 - Ms. Veteran America Pageant 
Oct 14 - Columbus Day
Oct 20 - World Osteoporosis Day 
Oct 26 - National Day of the Deployed 
Oct 27 - Navy Day
Oct 28 - Make a Difference Day 
Oct 31 - Halloween

MOTIVATIONAL MEMO

You Can Say ‘No’ Any Time You Want To.

It's okay to decline additional commitments when your plate is already full. Learning to say 'no' is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

VA SUPPORT: MENOPAUSE HELP - BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Menopause is defined as not having had a menstrual period for 12 months in a row. Usually, menopause is natural, which means it happens on its own, and you don't need medical treatment unless your symptoms bother you.

The timing of menopause is different for everyone, but the average age for women to have their last menstrual period is about 51. It can happen at any time in your 40s or 50s, and most women go through menopause at about the same age as their mother.

Symptoms of menopause include: Irregular menstrual periods, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweat, sleep problems, mood changes, weight gain and slowed metabolism, thinning hair and dry skin, and loss of breast fullness. Sometimes menopause can lead to anxiety or depression.

How Can The VA Help?
The VA can provide: Hormone patch that is worn on the skin, Hormone pills, or Vaginal estrogen therapy (can help with vaginal dryness).

These are some non-medical treatments you can try to help ease hot flashes, mood changes, and irritability:
- Dress in layers
- Avoid hot beverages
- Avoid drinking alcohol to excess or late at night
- Practice mindfulness and seek other mental health support
- Exercise regularly - if you need help, try the VA Move program
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet - check out the Healthy Teaching Kitchen, which offers cooking classes if you need help getting started with healthy meals

How do I access services for menopause at VA?
You can talk to your VA primary care provider, or ask for the Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM).

ALL HANDS ON DECK: DISCOVER MORE ABOUT NAVY DAY

Navy Day, first celebrated in 1922 by the Navy League of the United States, honors the contributions of sailors and was originally observed on October 27, which was once considered the Navy's birthday. This date also coincides with the birthday of President Theodore Roosevelt, a strong Navy supporter. Between 1922 and 1949, Navy Day was marked by significant public celebrations, including ship visits and a grand review by President Truman in 1945. In 1949, Armed Forces Day replaced Navy Day as the official observance for all military branches. However, the Navy League continues to celebrate Navy Day on October 27, despite the Navy's official birthday being recognized as October 13 since 1970.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOUSING RESOURCES
Domestic Violence Prevention Month: 
https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/ending-domestic-violence/a-comprehensive-guide-to-domestic-violence-awareness-month
I’m Ready To Leave, Now What?
I Know Someone Who Is Being Abused. What Should I Do?
Womens Shelters - https://www.womenshelters.org/
Shelter List - https://www.shelterlist.com/
Housing Stability - https://www.va.gov/homeless/for_women_veterans.asp 
 
AWARENESS MONTH RESOURCES
National Menopause Awareness Month: menopause.org
National Mental Health Month: nmha.org; mentalhealthscreening.org
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: nationalbreastcancer.org
Make a Difference Day - nationaltoday.com
Halloween -  https://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/
https://soldiersangels.org/volunteer/special-campaigns/treats-for-troops/
Halloween Military Coloring Page - https://www.operationwearehere.com/ColoringFall.pdf
 
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
- Suicide and Crisis Hotline - https://988lifeline.org/ or call 988
- Emory Healthcare Veterans Program-1-888-514-5345 https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/centers-programs/veterans-program/index.html?
- The Road Home (312) 942-8387 (VETS) https://roadhomeprogram.org/
- Give an Hour https://giveanhour.org/military/
- STRIVE https://medicine.osu.edu/departments/psychiatry-and-behavioral-health/strive/treatments-and-services
- Mental Health apps (Operation Reach Out; White Flag)
- Objective Zero app https://www.objectivezero.org/
- Battle Buddy Response Team - https://battlebuddyresponseteam.org/contact/
- VA Mental Health - https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp

CROWNING COURAGE: THE MS. VETERAN AMERICA COMPETITION

The Ms. Veteran America competition highlights more than the strength, courage, and sacrifice of our nations military women, but also reminds us that these women are Mothers, Daughters, Sisters and Wives.
Ms. Veteran America is a movement, encouraging women veterans to uplift each other and find their tribe. Proceeds from this event provide housing for homeless women Veterans and their children. Women Veterans are currently the fastest growing homeless population in America. Over half of homeless women veterans are single mothers.

Ms. Veteran America takes place at the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside on Oct 13th. To learn more: https://www.msveteranamerica.org/

VA CLAIMS CORNER:  TOP 5 REASONS VA CLAIMS GET DENIED

1. Didn’t Include a Buddy Letter:
A buddy letter, a statement from someone who can corroborate your experiences and symptoms, is often vital. This could be from a spouse, a service buddy, or anyone who has observed the impact of the event on your life. The letter adds credibility by providing an external perspective on your condition.

2. Didn’t Complete the DBQ Accurately:
The Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is your opportunity to have a healthcare provider detail your condition. It's crucial not to downplay your symptoms during this process. Be honest and comprehensive about your day-to-day struggles and the severity of your symptoms.

3. Didn’t Show Service Connection:
Clearly linking your disability to your military service is a critical part of your claim. This can be done through service medical records or, if those aren't available, through current medical records supported by a buddy letter. Without a clear connection to your service, your claim is likely to be denied.

4. Didn’t Have A Medical Diagnosis:
Having a diagnosis from a medical professional is non-negotiable. Ensure that you have a documented diagnosis or an established disability. Claims without a medical diagnosis or evidence of an impact post-service are often not approved.

5. Didn’t Go To The C&P Exam:
Your Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exam is a crucial part of the claim process. Make sure to attend this exam, or reschedule if necessary. During the exam, clearly demonstrate the connection between your condition and your service (your NEXUS letter). The exam is your chance to substantiate your claim with the VA.

If you face difficulties or have had multiple denied claims, consider seeking guidance from a veteran service officer or an experienced professional in the field. With the right approach and thorough preparation, you can enhance the likelihood of a favorable outcome in your VA claim process.

​* Content adapted from VA Claims Insider Blog

I've heard back from several readers, and I want to take a moment to thank you for reading the newsletter and responding.

I always welcome feedback and appreciate getting comments about what information you would like to see in the Women Warriors Connect Newsletter.

Please click here and let me know: support@womenwarriorsconnect.com


Have an outstanding week,

Carma Connor

​Women Warriors Connect

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Hi, I Am Carma Connor

CEO Of Women Warriors Connect

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