This is the official Site for the Joint Sponsored Veterans' Peer-Democratic Led Support Group. The purpose of this page is to disseminate meeting and planning information to regular participants. It is not an extension of mental health services by the Alabama Institute for Behavioral Health & Research or Mr. John M. Duffey.
THIS IS NOT A THERAPY GROUP - PARTICIPANTS DO NOT UNDERGO PSYCHOTHERAPY OR ANY FORM OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
The Veterans' Support Group is peer-organized support group sponsored by the Alabama Institute for Behavioral Health & Research (AIBHR) through the provision of a website for information sharing and The American Legion Post 135, located in Phenix City, AL under the American Legion Department of Alabama. It is a non-therapy support group led by veterans for veterans.
MEETING TIMES: 6pm to 8pm Eastern Time.
LOCATION: 511 13th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867
POC: John M. Duffey, Post Chaplain. Ph: 334-540-4401. E-Mail: john.m.duffey@gmail.com
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Announcements follow:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05 March 2023 @ 1406hrs ET:
I have just returned from a training seminar in Augusta, GA where I learned a great deal about the latest research and most effective treatment modalities for PTSD and PTSD that has the co-morbid condition of Substance use disorder/Substance Addiction. Many veterans use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate themselves against the symptoms of PTSD. Most commonly to cope with intrusive thoughts and memories that provoke the limbic system, nightmares, and disrupted sleep/insomnia, and feelings of guilt and shame that are attached to traumatic events and the memory of them.
I have a lot of information on causation and development variables that impact veterans and their ability to effectively and healthily cope with PTSD w/o use of illicit street drugs or alcohol. I have also gained a list of resources available to veterans for SA treatment and financing care outside of the VA. I can bring some of the literature I picked up there to the next meeting. I can't wait to see you all on the next meeting at the Post.
Just a reminder.... This coming Wednesday there is no meeting scheduled for us but there is for the Widows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 February 2023 @ 10:28hrs ET:
SCHEDULE FOR THE VSG AND WSG.
1 March 2023: No meeting
8 March 2023: WSG
15 March 2023: VSG
22 March 2023: No Meeting
29 March 2023: WSG
5 April 2023: VSG
12 April 2023: No Meeting
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25 February 2023 @ 0853hrs ET: Good Morning Everyone! I wanted to take a quick moment to let you all know that, as agreed by everyone who is regular to our support group meetings, we will not meet this coming Wednesday. I will be out of town for business reasons and I believe some other members wanted that day to take care of some of their personal and business matters as well. So, no meeting on 1 March 2023.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 February 2023 @ 1800hrs ET:
IN THE FUTURE (this is a proposal to the group). If any person says or transmits any word, phrase, expression, belief, picture, graphic, or otherwise that offends another in our group then the allegedly offended person HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY to immediately address it directly with, one-on-one, the transmitting person to resolve it. This is especially so in issues of cross-cultural communication because genuinely unintentional miscommunication is common in these settings and when that person is informed he/she can apologize, make amends, make appropriate changes, and move on having learned something new that promotes healthy growth in cultural awareness.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01 January 2023 @ 1017hrs ET: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope everyone has had a great and wonderful time celebrating the coming of the new year. I wish each and every one of you much luck, fortune, and health. As many of you may already be aware a group of Legion Members have contracted SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19/Wuhan Virus) and are receiving treatment for it. There is also a CDC report indicating a spike in infections of SARS-CoV-2 among the general populous following Christmas Holliday and is expected to increase further following the New Year celebrations across the country. The Leadership of The American Legion Post 135 have closed operations in an effort to reduce spread of the virus to other members and to the public at-large who enjoy their Bingo gaming. This translates to our group as well. Thus, we will not be able to meet at the Post this coming Wednesday.
This being said, we can meet at the Clinic if that is desired. But, given that there is a risk of spread at the moment this may not be a feasible option for this Wednesday. My recommendation is to skip this week and return normally to the next Wednesday following this week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 December 2022 @ 1129hrs ET: Hi Everyone, we are not meeting the week of Christmas. If I don't get to see any of you before then I wish you all a great and happy Christmas. We will meet, combined group the following Wednesday and I will have a special guest there to discuss grief and her new book on being a widow and coping for our widows in the gang.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04 December 2022 @ 2114hrs ET: Hi everyone! For our next group session, this coming Wednesday, I would like to spend a little bit of time presenting the `16 most common cognitive distortions that impact our perceptions, beliefs, world view, and depression, and anxiety. Below, on this page you will see a link for a PDF document called Cognitive-Challenging-worksheet. It has a lot of information about negative auto-thoughts and on strategies for countering them and improving the quality of life. PLEASE READ IT. PRINT IT and fill in the places were prompted. Bring it with you to group. I will have some blank print outs at group too. But, do read it ahead of time. We can complete them during group.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02 December 2022 @ 0927hrs ET: Our last meeting was a very interesting meeting. It was a splice of both the veterans' and Widows' groups. The primary purpose was to decide frequency of meetings, location of meetings, and times of meetings. The decision for the moment is to continue joint group sessions through to 01 January 2023 where we will then separate, or at least discuss separating the groups with a professional co-leader.
Our meetings will be every Wednesday, starting at 1800hrs ET and ending around 2000hrs ET, coming together at the American Legion Post 135
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 NOVEMBER 2022 @ 0943hrs ET: We will resume group meetings starting on 7 December 2022 from 1800hrs - 2000hrs ET. Meetings will be every other week from there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 November 2022 @ 0926hrs Eastern: There is a big question regarding the frequency of meetings at the Post for the Veterans and Widow/ers groups. We only have Wednesday nights to work with at Post 135. Both groups are interested in meeting weekly. This means we have three primary options: 1. Stack the times on Wednesdays for the two groups.
2. Change the location to the Alabama Institute's Board room for one of the groups and have a different day.
3. Stagger the meeting and have them every other week with every Wednesday filled with one group or the other.
Option 1 is to stack the groups with one being from 1600hrs ET - 1800hrs ET and the next from 1800hrs ET - 2000hrs ET. Both group participants that I have spoken to are concerned about the 1600-1800 slot because it is too early for those who work. This is definitely something we need to consider so everyone has the opportunity to participate. This may not be the most practical and feasible option due to the times involved.
Option 2 is to have two different days of the week and the same time of 1800hrs ET - 2000hrs ET. Wednesday have one group weekly at the Post and on another day of the week have weekly meetings with the other group at the Clinic. This is feasible and meets the time restrictions and location usage restrictions.
Option 3 is what we are doing now. Location: Post, Time: 1800-2000hrs ET, frequency: every other week.
Please feel free to contact me at 334-540-4401 or email jmduffey@alabamainstitute.com to express which of these you prefer. We do need to resolve the time and day issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 November 2022 @ 0929hrs Eastern: We have strayed a little from, "The BODY KEEPS THE SCORE." But, that is OK because we have made so much progress with one another on a number of daily challenges that we face as veterans and persons w/PTSD. We have, I believe transitioned into the WORKING stage of the group progress cycle. However, keep reading! The information in this books reveals a great deal about ourselves and how we are coping, or not coping, to the challenges of PTSD and Anxiety post trauma.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 November 2022 @ 1631hrs Eastern: The VSG will not meet on 23 November 2022 @ 6pm Eastern due to the Thanksgiving holiday but will resume on 30 November 2022 @ 1800hrs Eastern.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 NOVEMBER 2022 @ 1624hrs Eastern: The VSG will resume weekly Wednesday meetings at the Post starting Wednesday, 30 November 2022 at 6pm Eastern. Another support group for Widows and widowers will conclude at 6pm on Wednesdays but will not interfere with veterans group meetings at all.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 November 2022 @ 2000hrs ET: Welcome, fellow veterans, to The American Legion Post 135 Veteran Support Group. All veterans are welcomed to attend. It is important that some information be made available to you as you consider participating and while participating. First, and foremost, it is important for each of you to know and fully understand that this is not a mental health therapy group. It is a peer-led group designed to permit veterans to meet and offer support to one another while receiving support at the same time. Many veterans suffer from issues like depression and PTSD and it can be helpful to meet with other veterans with similar issues to learn new ways of coping or what resources are available to veterans. The Post Chaplain coordinates the meetings but does not lead or guide the group in any capacity, spiritually or as a mental health counselor.
There are some rules that we must all follow in order for the group to be beneficial for every participant. One rule is no alcohol or drugs. Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave. Disruptive behaviors and accusing others of being liars, weak, whiners, etc are not tolerated and grounds for the perpetrating person to be removed from the group. Members who are angry and feel as though it may lead to violence should not come to a meeting or excuse themselves from the meeting if attending one. NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND - DEFENSIVE OR OFFENSIVE - ARE PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE POST BUILDING OR WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE PLACE WHERE THE GROUP MEETS. It is important for the group to be a safe place and open environment where people can share their experiences and ideas on how they or others might cope. Therefore, we must all agree that what is said in these meetings stay in these meetings and are not discussed with others outside of the group for any reason or outside of the group between members where there is a likelihood that others may overhear. Only in cases where there is a clear and obvious condition of a person being a danger to themselves or the safety of others should such information be shared and then, only with emergency services personnel and law enforcement. This is a group of peers who meet and these meetings and the group are not therapy (mental health or otherwise). The Chaplain is an LPC but, while participating in these group meetings, is nothing more than another veteran and not participating in any way whatsoever in the capacity or role of an LPC - just another veteran with PTSD seeking assistance from and camaraderie with other veterans in a similar state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS IS NOT A THERAPY GROUP - PARTICIPANTS DO NOT UNDERGO PSYCHOTHERAPY OR ANY FORM OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
The Veterans' Support Group is peer-organized support group sponsored by the Alabama Institute for Behavioral Health & Research (AIBHR) through the provision of a website for information sharing and The American Legion Post 135, located in Phenix City, AL under the American Legion Department of Alabama. It is a non-therapy support group led by veterans for veterans.
MEETING TIMES: 6pm to 8pm Eastern Time.
LOCATION: 511 13th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867
POC: John M. Duffey, Post Chaplain. Ph: 334-540-4401. E-Mail: john.m.duffey@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcements follow:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05 March 2023 @ 1406hrs ET:
I have just returned from a training seminar in Augusta, GA where I learned a great deal about the latest research and most effective treatment modalities for PTSD and PTSD that has the co-morbid condition of Substance use disorder/Substance Addiction. Many veterans use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate themselves against the symptoms of PTSD. Most commonly to cope with intrusive thoughts and memories that provoke the limbic system, nightmares, and disrupted sleep/insomnia, and feelings of guilt and shame that are attached to traumatic events and the memory of them.
I have a lot of information on causation and development variables that impact veterans and their ability to effectively and healthily cope with PTSD w/o use of illicit street drugs or alcohol. I have also gained a list of resources available to veterans for SA treatment and financing care outside of the VA. I can bring some of the literature I picked up there to the next meeting. I can't wait to see you all on the next meeting at the Post.
Just a reminder.... This coming Wednesday there is no meeting scheduled for us but there is for the Widows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 February 2023 @ 10:28hrs ET:
SCHEDULE FOR THE VSG AND WSG.
1 March 2023: No meeting
8 March 2023: WSG
15 March 2023: VSG
22 March 2023: No Meeting
29 March 2023: WSG
5 April 2023: VSG
12 April 2023: No Meeting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 February 2023 @ 0853hrs ET: Good Morning Everyone! I wanted to take a quick moment to let you all know that, as agreed by everyone who is regular to our support group meetings, we will not meet this coming Wednesday. I will be out of town for business reasons and I believe some other members wanted that day to take care of some of their personal and business matters as well. So, no meeting on 1 March 2023.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 February 2023 @ 1800hrs ET:
IN THE FUTURE (this is a proposal to the group). If any person says or transmits any word, phrase, expression, belief, picture, graphic, or otherwise that offends another in our group then the allegedly offended person HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY to immediately address it directly with, one-on-one, the transmitting person to resolve it. This is especially so in issues of cross-cultural communication because genuinely unintentional miscommunication is common in these settings and when that person is informed he/she can apologize, make amends, make appropriate changes, and move on having learned something new that promotes healthy growth in cultural awareness.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01 January 2023 @ 1017hrs ET: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope everyone has had a great and wonderful time celebrating the coming of the new year. I wish each and every one of you much luck, fortune, and health. As many of you may already be aware a group of Legion Members have contracted SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19/Wuhan Virus) and are receiving treatment for it. There is also a CDC report indicating a spike in infections of SARS-CoV-2 among the general populous following Christmas Holliday and is expected to increase further following the New Year celebrations across the country. The Leadership of The American Legion Post 135 have closed operations in an effort to reduce spread of the virus to other members and to the public at-large who enjoy their Bingo gaming. This translates to our group as well. Thus, we will not be able to meet at the Post this coming Wednesday.
This being said, we can meet at the Clinic if that is desired. But, given that there is a risk of spread at the moment this may not be a feasible option for this Wednesday. My recommendation is to skip this week and return normally to the next Wednesday following this week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 December 2022 @ 1129hrs ET: Hi Everyone, we are not meeting the week of Christmas. If I don't get to see any of you before then I wish you all a great and happy Christmas. We will meet, combined group the following Wednesday and I will have a special guest there to discuss grief and her new book on being a widow and coping for our widows in the gang.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04 December 2022 @ 2114hrs ET: Hi everyone! For our next group session, this coming Wednesday, I would like to spend a little bit of time presenting the `16 most common cognitive distortions that impact our perceptions, beliefs, world view, and depression, and anxiety. Below, on this page you will see a link for a PDF document called Cognitive-Challenging-worksheet. It has a lot of information about negative auto-thoughts and on strategies for countering them and improving the quality of life. PLEASE READ IT. PRINT IT and fill in the places were prompted. Bring it with you to group. I will have some blank print outs at group too. But, do read it ahead of time. We can complete them during group.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02 December 2022 @ 0927hrs ET: Our last meeting was a very interesting meeting. It was a splice of both the veterans' and Widows' groups. The primary purpose was to decide frequency of meetings, location of meetings, and times of meetings. The decision for the moment is to continue joint group sessions through to 01 January 2023 where we will then separate, or at least discuss separating the groups with a professional co-leader.
Our meetings will be every Wednesday, starting at 1800hrs ET and ending around 2000hrs ET, coming together at the American Legion Post 135
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 NOVEMBER 2022 @ 0943hrs ET: We will resume group meetings starting on 7 December 2022 from 1800hrs - 2000hrs ET. Meetings will be every other week from there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 November 2022 @ 0926hrs Eastern: There is a big question regarding the frequency of meetings at the Post for the Veterans and Widow/ers groups. We only have Wednesday nights to work with at Post 135. Both groups are interested in meeting weekly. This means we have three primary options: 1. Stack the times on Wednesdays for the two groups.
2. Change the location to the Alabama Institute's Board room for one of the groups and have a different day.
3. Stagger the meeting and have them every other week with every Wednesday filled with one group or the other.
Option 1 is to stack the groups with one being from 1600hrs ET - 1800hrs ET and the next from 1800hrs ET - 2000hrs ET. Both group participants that I have spoken to are concerned about the 1600-1800 slot because it is too early for those who work. This is definitely something we need to consider so everyone has the opportunity to participate. This may not be the most practical and feasible option due to the times involved.
Option 2 is to have two different days of the week and the same time of 1800hrs ET - 2000hrs ET. Wednesday have one group weekly at the Post and on another day of the week have weekly meetings with the other group at the Clinic. This is feasible and meets the time restrictions and location usage restrictions.
Option 3 is what we are doing now. Location: Post, Time: 1800-2000hrs ET, frequency: every other week.
Please feel free to contact me at 334-540-4401 or email jmduffey@alabamainstitute.com to express which of these you prefer. We do need to resolve the time and day issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 November 2022 @ 0929hrs Eastern: We have strayed a little from, "The BODY KEEPS THE SCORE." But, that is OK because we have made so much progress with one another on a number of daily challenges that we face as veterans and persons w/PTSD. We have, I believe transitioned into the WORKING stage of the group progress cycle. However, keep reading! The information in this books reveals a great deal about ourselves and how we are coping, or not coping, to the challenges of PTSD and Anxiety post trauma.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 November 2022 @ 1631hrs Eastern: The VSG will not meet on 23 November 2022 @ 6pm Eastern due to the Thanksgiving holiday but will resume on 30 November 2022 @ 1800hrs Eastern.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 NOVEMBER 2022 @ 1624hrs Eastern: The VSG will resume weekly Wednesday meetings at the Post starting Wednesday, 30 November 2022 at 6pm Eastern. Another support group for Widows and widowers will conclude at 6pm on Wednesdays but will not interfere with veterans group meetings at all.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 November 2022 @ 2000hrs ET: Welcome, fellow veterans, to The American Legion Post 135 Veteran Support Group. All veterans are welcomed to attend. It is important that some information be made available to you as you consider participating and while participating. First, and foremost, it is important for each of you to know and fully understand that this is not a mental health therapy group. It is a peer-led group designed to permit veterans to meet and offer support to one another while receiving support at the same time. Many veterans suffer from issues like depression and PTSD and it can be helpful to meet with other veterans with similar issues to learn new ways of coping or what resources are available to veterans. The Post Chaplain coordinates the meetings but does not lead or guide the group in any capacity, spiritually or as a mental health counselor.
There are some rules that we must all follow in order for the group to be beneficial for every participant. One rule is no alcohol or drugs. Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave. Disruptive behaviors and accusing others of being liars, weak, whiners, etc are not tolerated and grounds for the perpetrating person to be removed from the group. Members who are angry and feel as though it may lead to violence should not come to a meeting or excuse themselves from the meeting if attending one. NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND - DEFENSIVE OR OFFENSIVE - ARE PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE POST BUILDING OR WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE PLACE WHERE THE GROUP MEETS. It is important for the group to be a safe place and open environment where people can share their experiences and ideas on how they or others might cope. Therefore, we must all agree that what is said in these meetings stay in these meetings and are not discussed with others outside of the group for any reason or outside of the group between members where there is a likelihood that others may overhear. Only in cases where there is a clear and obvious condition of a person being a danger to themselves or the safety of others should such information be shared and then, only with emergency services personnel and law enforcement. This is a group of peers who meet and these meetings and the group are not therapy (mental health or otherwise). The Chaplain is an LPC but, while participating in these group meetings, is nothing more than another veteran and not participating in any way whatsoever in the capacity or role of an LPC - just another veteran with PTSD seeking assistance from and camaraderie with other veterans in a similar state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| cognitive-challenging-worksheet.pdf |