Military service members often face extreme stress from uncertainties about deployment, culture shock, risk of injury or death, difficult living conditions, and separation from family and friends. These stressors can negatively impact physical and mental health, leading to issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and in some cases suicide. However, how one thinks about and interprets stressful experiences influences their emotional and behavioral responses. Maintaining spiritual values and a positive outlook through mindfulness and living courageously with fear can help build resilience during difficult times.

1. Spiritual Resiliency

2. Who’s under these extreme individual stress situations?
• uncertainty about deployment time lines
• culture shock in theater
• fear of or confrontation with death or physical injury
• environmental challenges such as extreme climates and
geographical features
• austere living conditions
• separation from friends and family members
• reintegration after deployment
• frequent relocations
• long work hours

3. Some cope but many may suffer negative consequences such as:
• physical injury including traumatic brain injury
• depression
• anxiety
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• substance abuse
• family dysfunction
• marital problems and dissolutions
• social isolation
• and in extreme cases even suicide or suicide attempts

4. Now…
We have seen the situations and the consequences.
But we missed something!

5. Our Thinking Affects What We Feel and Do
Something happens. We think about it. We respond.
Events Thoughts Response
To help us, let’s think of it as learning our ABC’S:
• (A) Something bad happens (Adversity)
• (B) We have certain thoughts (Beliefs)
• (C) Feelings/behaviour follow (Consequences )

6. How our thinking manages us
Feelings
Thinking
Calm times Strong emotions

7. Research shows that our values become the “auto pilot” when
we’re under stress.

8. What do we value most:
• Family
• Community
• Accomplishment
• Success
• Faith
• Making a difference
• Common good
• Contribution
• …

9. Some useful tips to inspire you…

10. Have a positive or optimistic outlook
(have fun)

11. Be mindful

12. Learn to live with your fears

13. Wish you a spiritually resilient life 