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Town of North East, MD - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
16 Nov
0

Business of the Quarter – Town of North East, MD

by in Business of the Quarter

Welcome to the Town of North East!

Located at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay, North East is less than an hour drive from Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Settled by the English in 1658, the Town of North East was incorporated in 1850. The southern part of town covers a site once occupied by Shawnee Indians. North East was the first permanent settlement in Cecil County. The cemetery at Saint Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church located on Main Street is one of the oldest in the State of Maryland with graves of Susquehannock Indians dating to the 1600’s.

Strolling down Main Street, visitors will find various shops full of artisanal goods and antiques, and several restaurants. The Upper Bay Museum located at the end of Walnut street in the North East Community Park offers one of the largest collections of hunting and fishing memorabilia in this area.

Located a short distance outside of town is the Elk Neck State Park, Turkey Point LightHouse, and Elk Neck State Forest, which all offer hiking and recreational activities for visitors.

Furthermore, the Town of North East has recently installed and dedicated a new Veterans Brick Memorial in which we are always seeking to honor more Veterans or Active Duty Heroes. You can check us out at www.northeastmd.org.

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Male Veteran of the Quarter - Troy Harden - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
09 Nov
0

Male Veteran of the Quarter – Troy Harden

by in Veteran of the Quarter

This article features Troy Harden

Troy Harden mostly grew up in or near Melbourne Florida. Not long after graduating high school in Mongomery Alabama he enlisted in the United States Navy eventually becoming an Aviation Machinist Mate. He worked as an aircraft mechanic on the P-3 Orion, C-2 Greyhound, and C-131 Convair aircraft, but considers his crowning achievement in military when challenged the Oil Analysis classification program. Working independently with no formal training in the Oil Analysis field of his rating he obtained coveted qualification of an Oil Analysis Technician. He retired from the Navy under Temporary Early Retirement Program as an E-5.

Upon the closing of that chapter in his life he surrendered his life to full time service to the Lord, he and his family moved Omaha Nebraska, where over the next seven years he attended Grace University studying to become a pastor. During those years he volunteered in various capacities of church work, learning from experienced clergy the ins and outs working in a ministry environment. To support his family, he worked his way up from custodial worker to the Director of the Adult Degree Completion Program at Grace University.

A short time after completing my master’s degree in Bible at Grace University, the opportunity presented itself for to take Senior Pastor position at Faith Baptist Church in Pawnee City Nebraska. The Lord gave me an opportunity to minister in a small church of 65 people for a course of three years. He was honored to serve in that capacity, but with a series of events out of his control the Lord moved us back to the east coast to Maryland in June 2007.

Upon getting re-established, he was hired as a contractor at Joint Personal Effects Depot (JPED) in Aberdeen Marland. His plan was to work at this position for a year and go back into a ministry position. Just like many plans that are made, those plans did not come to fruition. It has been almost 17 years since he first walked into JPED. The mission of JPED is to take care of fallen soldiers, sailors, airman and marines’ personal effects.

Over time he realized that these people that care for the fallen need people to care for them just like a pastor would to his congregation. Service to others has been a driving force for many of the decisions that he made. For him, it has been an honor to serve this important mission of caring for the fallen.

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Skin Cancer Screenings are Important ALL YEAR - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
02 Nov
0

Skin Cancer Screenings are Important ALL YEAR

by in Health and Wellness

Presented by Marc Scheiner, M.D., Cecil Dermatology, Elkton, MD

CecilDermatology.com
410.620.9722
@cecildermatology

With over 3 million new diagnoses per year, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. What is skin cancer? Simply put, it is the growth of abnormal cells in the outer layer of the skin. Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps. There are several types of skin cancer, most of which do not spread to other parts of the body, but still need to be removed to prevent further growth.

Skin cancer can affect men and women of all ages. Seniors, however, often have higher rates of skin cancer than younger adults. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), men over the age of 50 have a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer than the general population. But of course, women of a similar age can be diagnosed with skin cancer as well.

The American Cancer Society recommends people between the ages of 20-40 get a professional skin exam every three years. People over the age of 40 should get an exam annually.

What can you expect at a skin cancer screening appointment?

If you’ve never had atypical moles or skin cancer, the exam will likely be brief (about 10 minutes). You’ll need to remove your clothes and put on a medical exam gown. You won’t need to remove your underwear, unless you’ve indicated that a spot on your genitalia concerns you.

The dermatologist or plastic surgeon will thoroughly check your skin from head to toe, paying close attention to hard-to-see spots like your scalp, back, backs of your legs, and behind your ears. The doctor may use a small handheld magnifying device.

Then the physician may recommend that you have a biopsy of one or more suspicious spots. This means removing a portion of a skin lesion and sending it to a lab for analysis. If the report comes back that the spot is skin cancer, the physician will contact you and explain the type of skin cancer and the treatment options.

Remember, early detection is key for the best treatment outcomes.

Now is a great time to make an appointment with your physician to look for any suspicious growths. And don’t forget to regularly apply sunscreen when going outdoors, even in the fall and winter!

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26 Oct
0

Know the risks of investing and not investing

by in Interest

This article was written by Edward Jones for us by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Tyler Simonds. Edward Jones, Member SIPC. You can reach Tyler at 410-398-4214

Know the risks of investing and not investing

Investing involves risk and so does not investing. You should know how they both affect your ability to reach your financial goals. Let’s start with looking at three investment categories and some of the risks connected with them:

Stocks – When you invest in stocks or stock-based mutual funds, you will incur the risk that the value of your investments may decline. Stock prices can fall for any number of reasons – lower-than-expected earnings, a change in management, change in consumer tastes, and so on.

Although the historical trend for stocks has been positive, there will always be periods when prices are down. One way to help defend against this volatility is to hold stocks for the long term, rather than constantly buying and selling, and to own a mix of stocks from different industries and even different countries.

Bonds – When market interest rates rise, the value of your bonds can decline because investors won’t pay full price for them when they can get the newer ones that offer higher rates. Another type of risk associated with bonds is credit risk, which essentially describes the risk that the bond issuer may default, potentially disrupting your flow of interest payments. You can help mitigate this risk by purchasing investment-grade bonds that receive the highest credit ratings from independent rating agencies.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) – Although CDs are generally considered safe because their principal is guaranteed, they do carry reinvestment risk — the risk that you won’t be able to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing CD at the same interest rate. To help protect against this risk, you could own CDs of varying maturities. When market rates are low, you’ll still have your longer-term CDs paying higher interest, and when market rates rise, you can reinvest the money from your maturing shorter-term CDs into the new ones.

Now, let’s turn to a completely different type of risk — the risk of not investing. And this risk is easy to understand: If you don’t invest, or if you consistently invest only in the most conservative vehicles, your money may not grow enough to allow you to reach your important long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

When you’re saving for a short-term goal, such as a down payment on a house, a wedding or a long vacation, you want the money to be there when you need it, so an investment that offers protection of principal may be appropriate, even if it doesn’t provide much in the way of growth.

For long-term goals, though, you may need to build an investment portfolio that contains growth potential and that reflects your personal risk tolerance and time horizon. As you get closer to retirement, you may want to take a conservative approach.

When you invest, risk can’t be eliminated, but it can be managed. Keeping this in mind, consider a long-term investment strategy that allows for risk but also offers the possibility of reward.

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Special Prayer Room - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
19 Oct
0

Special Prayer Room

by in Family, Religion

Article By: Dee Jones, President of Light 2 World, Inc.

My family loves “movie night”. On many occasions, we may pick the same movie! One of our favorite movies is “War Room” by the Kendrick Brothers.
One of the main characters “Miss Clara” sang funny melodies of joy when her prayers were answered. She was a woman of faith and she had a prayer plan for every area of her life. My nieces and I would watch this movie whenever we visited each other. Now that my young family members are college-age, we still laugh about those times together. School is starting again.

As I recall a recent radio report, the announcer noted struggles teachers endure and the situations their students experience at home and in class. Many children suffer from anxiety and fear. As my special child enters another year of school, I am led to develop a “prayer plan” for this school year.

How can your child develop a strategy for prayer in their personal “War Room?” My little guy is not a fan of reading or writing. Thus, we can enhance these skills in small segments. I cannot think of a better skill to foster than prayer, reading, and writing. Below are several ideas to get you started.

  1. Poster board, glue, markers, index cards or a Picture Journal.
  2. Be a role model. Kids do what they see parents do. Pray together whenever possible using your prayer board or prayer journal. A composition notebook can be used by posting pictures and writing.
  3. Teach your child to pray scripture. My first book includes scripture prayers that I wrote for various issues of my life. Kids can do this too. For example: To pray this scripture, Philippians 4:6-7 for my son, it would go like this. “Lord, help me not to worry about school or my classmates. Give me peace on my first day of school and help me to think about you when I start to get stressed. Thank you Jesus, Amen.”
  4. Set a special time in the morning, before meals, at bedtime. Also, when sirens are heard. A dear Bible teacher taught me to “stop and pray” whenever I saw police or firefighters heading to a scene. We stop and pray.
  5. To enhance reading and writing skills, help them write short prayers and post them each week. Your little one may also start a prayer journal.
  6. My First Prayer Journal for Kids by Karol Robayo at Amazon.com
  7. Use a prayer calendar to schedule prayer time for teachers, assistants, administrators, secretaries, parents, bus drivers, students, siblings, babysitters, etc.

A few of my favorite prayer scriptures:

  • Psalm 100
  • Proverbs 3:5-6
  • Philippians 4:6-7
  • Joshua 1:6
  • Matthew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer

Start small, be consistent, and have faith!

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SerMae Scindian - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
12 Oct
0

Female Veteran of the Quarter – SerMae Scindian

by in Veteran of the Quarter

This article features SerMae Scindian

Joining the Air Force in 2004 was a challenge for me since I’m the youngest in a large close-knit family, but I wanted to learn photography, gain independence and travel. After basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, I attended tech school at Fort George G. Meade Army Base in Maryland where I received an education and became an Air Force Multi-Media Photographer.

Upon completion of tech school, I arrived at my duty station at Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota with a Top-Secret clearance. I became a part of the 319th Communications Squadron which later merged with Public Affairs, and I became a Public Affairs Photographer with the 319th Air Refueling Wing.

During my Air Force career, I captured over 200,000 images; recorded unit history and documented achievements. I photographed individuals, families, small groups, and significant DOD, HQ, USAF, AMC, Joint Combat Camera Center, 18th AF and 319th ARW events. I documented crime scenes, criminal evidence, personal remains, and cases of vandalism and domestic abuse which served as support for security forces and OSI.

There was an additional duty of maintaining the position of Equipment Custodian and Records Management for thousands of dollars of Air Force multimedia equipment. During base exercises I assisted 319th LRS with pallet building and pre-deployment briefings.

In between the various job duties I received my CCAF in Audio-Visual Production and began working on my master’s degree in Human Resources. Then I became the NCOIC of photography as a Senior Airman by taking on the responsibilities of a 7-level including in a deployed location.

I captured and edited over 5,000 photos, covered over 100 events throughout deployed location at Kirk Air Base in Iraq—compelling imagery told Air Force’s story to the public and preserved wartime history. During my deployment I skillfully captured photos that sparked a CNN visit and Headline News feature.

I documented the “Mother Replaces Son on Kirkuk’s front lines” ESFS (Security Forces Squadron) deployment. Photographed Iraqi police, fire fighters, waste management, and vehicle maintenance training, highlighting AF’s role in rebuilding Iraq.

2008 was the year I survived completion of my development, got married, and ended my active duty service with the Air Force. Although there were some mental and emotional challenges, involved with the choice to separate I was still optimistic about my future endeavors.

Things didn’t go as planned but each job choice has kept me connected to the military, even after moving to Delaware in 2010. Volunteering at the Air Mobility Museum I had the chance to interact with senior veterans to learn about their service.

Working as a Child/Youth Program Assistant (Caregiver) at the base Child Development Center, I was able to care for and teach future generations of military families. As a Realtor, I guided people (including military families) through the journey of finding they ideal home. Currently, I’m the Administrative Assistant to the Director at the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs/Office of Veterans Services.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Sundae Recipe - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
05 Oct
0

Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Sundae Recipe

by in Recipes

There’s something magical about the combination of a hot dessert paired with a creamy topping. That’s exactly what you can look forward to when you bite into this indulgent gooey skillet sunday with only 6 ingredients. Have a good time preparing and eating this sundae!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 (16.5 oz) tube of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or fresh dough made your way!
  • Hot Fudge Topping (for serving)
  • Vanilla Ice Cream (for serving)
  • Chopped Walnuts (optional)
  • Whipped Topping (for serving)
  • Maraschino Cherries (for serving)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8×10 cast iron skillet with nonstick spray.
  2. Evenly press the cookie dough into the bottom of the skillet in an even layer.
  3. Bake for 15 -20 minutes until the cookie is a light golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Heat the hot fudge topping in the microwave using 10 second intervals, stirring between each interval until warm.
  5. Scoop the vanilla ice cream onto the center of the cookie and drizzle the entire cookie with hot fudge. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, whipped topping, and a cherry and enjoy immediately.

TIP: Use your favorite kind of cookie dough and dessert sauce to make this recipe your own. Feel free to make it unique!

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God takes a Little in order to make Much - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
28 Sep
0

God takes a Little in order to make Much

by in Religion

Article by Scott C. Stevens, Pastor, Evangelist, and US Army Disabled Veteran

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand – Bible Reference Mark 8:1-9…

“In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.”

And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he/Jesus asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.

And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people.”

This is a story we are all familiar with and told in every church at least once per year. Jesus was teaching, had people following him and the crowd grew hungry, he said bring it to me and I can make Much out of the Little. This parable of Jesus helps us realize that God does not need a lot from us to make a life well lived.

When I first joined the military in 1990, I was fresh out of high school and not confident in much of life. I was a good student with a 3.5 GPA, a good athlete, and I was a good son to my single mother. Yet, I was incomplete and unsure I would make it far in life and confused about my next steps.

One of my friends said, he was going into the military and that they’d give you money towards a College Education in rhw Montgomery GI Bill and since I knew my single mother could not afford college and I did not want to cut grass all my life, I enlisted in the Army as a Tank Mechanic 63H.

During basic training I thrived. Listening to Drill Sergeants was not much different than listening to my football coach and mother. While I was successful in Physical activity, what came next I was not prepared for. AIT or Training Course for being a Tank Mechanic (63H). Since I was a slow reader and not good at remembering things, I began to struggle. Yet, I met some new friends and with their help, I passed all the tests required.

Just as I finished training, the war of Desert Storm started and we quickly found our team in the midst of fighting. That is when I learned for the first time on how to pray. I spoke to God like He was my friend and said “God I do not have much, but what I do have I give to You”. I felt this sense of peace and love overwhelm me and heard back in my spirit “I got You”.

As I was deployed in the field I began to read the Bible and found another story of a man named Moses in Exodus 3:2-3 and it was the story of the burning bush and the call for Moses, to help his people. Yet, Moses began to doubt if he was good enough or strong enough to fulfill God’s plan.

In Chapter 4 of Exodus verse 1-2…

“Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say ‘the Lord has not appeared to you’”. So the Lord said to Moses, “What is that in your hand?” He said “A rod” And when Moses threw it to the ground the rod became a serpent and God told him to reach out and take it and it became a rod again.

God showed me in this act of obedience from Moses that sometimes God has to teach us and show us before we can help and teach others. Moses had a simple rod, yet God showed him it can be MORE.

God spoke to me, there next to a tree, “You have so much more to give and to share with you to take and share it with others, take the little that you have and give it to Me and I will make it MUCH MORE than you can ever imagine.”

I did, that day, and God brought me out of Military without my wounds or mental stress. God brought me to a Beautiful Lieutenant Army nurse, I used my GI Bill to graduate top of my college class at UMBC with a psychology degree and found a good bible believing church who loved me, mentored me, and I became a youth pastor.

I have three amazing and talented adult kids, and have been invited to speak around the country and three countries overseas about God’s Love and His purpose to gave me a message to help others make “Much out of Little”.

Let me pray with you…

Lord, help me in the life as I go. Help me find peace, love and acceptance in You. Let me turn over my life, my goals, my hurts and my pains over to You. I may have a little and have lost more than I have gained in life, but take what I have, let me surrender to Your plan and bring me more. I thank you, in Jesus name, Amen.

Reach out to me and let me know HOW I can pray for you.

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Designing the American Flag - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
21 Sep
0

Designing The American Flag – Part 5

by in History, Patriotism

The Color & Design Specifics…

There is an official Flag Code which specifies the look of the American Flag. Namely, that it shall have thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall be fifty stars, white in a blue field. There are common sizes, such as 2×3, 4×6, and 6×10 (to name a few).

The exact colors of the American flag are…

  • “White”, No. 70001
  • “Old Glory Red”, No. 70180
  • “Old Glory Blue”, No. 70075

The colors of the 9th edition of the Standard Color Reference were carefully measured and cross-checked by color scientists from the National Bureau of Standards in 1946. There is no perfect digital RGB or CMYK equivalent, but there are…

  • White #FFFFFF
  • Old Glory Red #B22234
  • Old Blogry Blue #3C3B6E

As with the design, the official colors are only officially required for flags produced for the U.S. federal government, and other colors are often used for mass-market flags, printed reproductions, and other products intended to evoke flag colors.

Decoration of the Flag…

Traditionally, the flag may be decorated with golden fringe surrounding the perimeter of the flag as long as it does not deface the flag proper. Traditionally, the Army and Air Force use a fringed flag for parades, color guard and indoor display, while the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard use a fringeless flag for all occasions.The first recorded use of fringe on a flag dates from 1835, and the Army used it officially in 1895. No specific law governs the legality of fringe.

Individuals associated with the sovereign citizen movement and tax protester conspiracy arguments have claimed, based on the military usage, that the presence of a fringed flag in a civilian courtroom changes the nature or jurisdiction of the court. Federal and state courts have rejected this contention.

Flag Etiquette…

The United States Flag Code outlines certain guidelines for the flag’s use, display, and disposal.

The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground and should be illuminated if flown at night. The flag should be repaired or replaced if the edges become tattered through wear. When a flag is so tattered that it can no longer serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

The American Legion and other organizations regularly conduct flag retirement ceremonies, often on Flag Day.

The Flag Code prohibits using the flag “for any advertising purpose” and also states that the flag “should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, napkins, handkerchiefs, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use”. Both of these codes are generally ignored, almost always without comment.

Section 8 of the Flag Code states in part: “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery”, and “No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform”. Section 3 defines “the flag” as anything “by which the average person seeing it without deliberation may believe it to represent the flag of the United States of America”. An additional provision that is frequently violated at sporting events is “The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.”

Although the Flag Code is U.S. federal law, there is no penalty for a private citizen or group failing to comply with the Flag Code, and it is not widely enforced—punitive enforcement would conflict with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

Desecration…

The flag of the United States is sometimes burned as a cultural or political statement. The United States Supreme Court in Texas v. Johnson (1989), and reaffirmed in U.S. v. Eichman (1990), has ruled that due to the First Amendment, it is unconstitutional for a government (whether federal, state, or municipal) to prohibit the desecration of a flag, due to its status as “symbolic speech.”

However, content-neutral restrictions may still be imposed to regulate the time, place, and manner of such expression. If the flag that was burned was someone else’s property the offender could be charged with petty larceny, or with destruction of private property, or possibly both.

Designing the American Flag - Veterans Outreach Ministries - DelawareFlying a U.S. flag upside down…

Displaying a U.S. flag upside down is “a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” It is most often meant as political protest, and is usually interpreted as such. Flying flags upside down has been used as a sign of protest against U.S. presidents. In 2020, as protests spread across the U.S. demanding an end to police brutality, some U.S. citizens chose to fly their flags upside down as part of the protests.

Top Photo: A proper and respectful manner of disposing of a damaged flag is a ceremonial burning. Bottom Photo: Protesters in Miami with upside down U.S. flags

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September: A Time for Mental Health Awareness and Prevention - Veterans Outreach Ministries - Delaware
14 Sep
0

September: A Time for Mental Health Awareness and Prevention

by in Health and Wellness

By: Rebecca Hummer of Pura Vida Yoga & Physical Training in Maryland

September marks Suicide Prevention Month, an important period dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. This initiative aims to foster understanding, reduce stigma, and provide resources to those in need. In conjunction with awareness efforts, integrating practices such as yoga and breathing exercises into daily routines can be beneficial for mental well-being and suicide prevention.

Understanding Mental Health

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how individuals handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Unfortunately, mental health issues often remain stigmatized, leading to barriers in seeking help. Awareness campaigns during Suicide Prevention Month strive to educate the public, offering resources for those struggling with mental health issues and emphasizing the importance of early intervention.

The Role of Yoga in Mental Health

Yoga, an ancient practice that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, has gained recognition for its mental health benefits. Regular practice can significantly improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Through yoga, individuals can cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and mindfulness, which are crucial for managing anxiety and depression.

One of yoga’s most notable benefits is its impact on the nervous system. The practice promotes relaxation by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which counters the effects of stress.

This physiological response helps lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, thereby reducing feelings of anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.

September: A Time for Mental Health Awareness and Prevention - Veterans Outreach Ministries - DelawareBreathing Exercises for Mental Clarity

Breathing exercises, or pranayama, are integral to yoga and can be highly effective in managing stress and improving mental health. Techniques such as deep diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and box breathing help regulate the nervous system and enhance mental clarity.

Deep diaphragmatic breathing involves inhaling deeply through the nose, allowing the abdomen to rise, and then exhaling slowly. This method encourages full oxygen exchange and promotes relaxation. Alternate nostril breathing, or Nadi Shodhana, balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain, fostering mental equilibrium. Box breathing, which involves inhaling, holding, exhaling, and pausing in equal durations, can calm the mind and enhance focus.

Integrating Yoga andBreathing into Daily Life

Incorporating yoga and breathing exercises into daily routines can be simple yet effective. Even short sessions of 10-15 minutes can yield significant benefits. Starting with basic yoga poses such as child’s pose, cat-cow, and forward bend can help release physical tension and promote relaxation. Pairing these with breathing exercises can enhance the calming effects.

Setting aside dedicated time for these practices, whether in the morning to start the day on a positive note or in the evening to unwind, can create a routine that supports mental health. Engaging in these practices with a mindful approach can foster a greater connection to oneself and improve resilience against stressors.

Conclusion:

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month in September, it is crucial to remember that mental health is an ongoing journey that requires attention and care. By increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and integrating practices such as yoga and breathing exercises into our lives, we can contribute to better mental health outcomes and support those in need. Let us use this month as an opportunity to prioritize mental well-being and advocate for resources and support systems that promote a healthier, more resilient society.

Explore more articles from VOM Magazine here: https://www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine/

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