The Resilient Heroes Project
Think of it as Emotional ArmorAbout The Resilient Heroes Project
Veterans with PTSD
Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF): About 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans (or between 11-20%) who served in OIF or OEF have PTSD in a given year.
Gulf War (Desert Storm): About 12 out of every 100 Gulf War Veterans (or 12%) have PTSD in a given year.
Vietnam War: About 15 out of every 100 Vietnam Veterans (or 15%) were currently diagnosed with PTSD at the time of the most recent study in the late 1980s, the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS). It is estimated that about 30 out of every 100 (or 30%) of Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.
With veterans their combat experiences may often compound on each other, that’s a no-brainer however, we are finding many have high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as well. Or an even more disturbing trend is something called Military Sexual Trauma (MST) when a member of the ranks does the unthinkable to one of their own.
Among Veterans who use VA health care, about: 23 out of 100 women (or 23%) reported sexual assault when in the military.
(Source:https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp)
PTSD effects millions of all Americans each year
First Responders and Trauma
Critical Incidents Stress Resiliency (CISR) can be added to your program to make it more effective and robust.
We lose more first responders to suicide than the line of duty deaths each year. If there is even a remote possibility to prevent this, isn’t it worth exploring?
Most first responder agencies have some sort of peer support available to those experiencing a critical incident in the workplace. Maybe you investigated a double homicide, or worked a traffic fatality, or had to give the next of kin notification of a death, or perhaps a line of duty officer-involved shooting, or investigated a horrific suicide or a sudden infant death. Maybe you lost a 6-year-old in the back of your ambulance running emergency response to the hospital. I could go on and on, but you get my point. Emotional tolls on our police, fire, emergency medical services and hospital staff are beyond normal capacities. We develop coping skills that can bleed over into our personal lives. Maybe it starts with a few shots of bourbon to take the edge off and a few more to sleep. Our relationships with our significant others, families, and children can start to take its toll.
We then can start shifting into disciplinary problems at work; you get angry for no apparent reason. We have sworn to protect our communities and can become insensitive with those we protect. Or maybe you start slacking at work because you don’t want to write another stupid report. Sound familiar?
Here is a real problem—egos of a profession. We are alpha males and alpha females, and we work hard to portray ourselves as protectors. There is nothing to see here; I’m good! The rank and file are afraid to ask for help because we know what the consensus is with PTSD. We perceive it as a weakness because we stigmatized the term. It is why we lose more first responders every year to suicide compared to the line of duty deaths. The new research, however, shows how wrong we are about PTSD. It’s not psychological; it is neurological. The brain gets hijacked because it fuses an emotion with an image or series of images. The emotion and image remain in the amygdala or the fight or flight part of the brain for ready and easy access. Intrusive thoughts, when we don’t want them, they sneak in our thoughts. Triggers occur when we pass by an intersection of a case we worked a decade ago and now seems like yesterday. A nightmare happens because the brain is trying to process it but can’t. PTSD is an injury that can now heal just as quickly as it set in.
What if I tell you there is a way to rid yourself of the negative emotions associated with your duties or even clear the emotions attached to a hardcore traumatic event. Would you be interested in exploring this solution? What if I told you the training takes three days and then the process becomes quite simple. The trained member will retain the skill and get better with time. We also offer a train the trainer program for large agencies or organizations. The training can occur in person or via an online platform.
How much institutional knowledge do we lose to stress every year? Men and women quit their professions because they don’t want to deal with the bombardment of emotions on the job. What does it cost to retrain the member? How about the stress-induced diseases associated like diabetes, heart disease, strokes, pick your cancer. What if we can regulate the emotions early in a career? What does that look like for overall health?
At 22Zero we believe there is a better way to treat trauma, it’s why we created the Tactical Resiliency Process (TRP). We are challenging the status quo through research, all so we can get America’s daughters and sons back from the ledge and end the suicide epidemic in the ranks and help them become the people they were meant to be.
I am tired of losing buddies I served with, and I am asking you to join the movement to Heal our Heroes.
Dan Jarvis
Founder/President
Testimonials
I’ve been a Deputy Sheriff for 23 years. During that time I’ve experienced traumas in the field and had to deal with negative emotions like survivors guilt. I also have battled with depression and a lot of negative self talk. This June I took part in the Tactical Resiliency Process (TRP) and the Emotions Management Process (EMP) training. I wanted to be able to help those in need find peace in their lives.
During part of the training I took part in the process as the recipient of the (TRP) coaching. I was able to work through the on duty death of a friend whom I witnessed. After completing the process I feel a considerable weight has lifted from me. In the days after the training I have noticed that my sleep cycles leave me more rested and my mind doesn’t seem to race at night like it used to.
I also benefited from the Emotions Management Process (EMP) . I processed negative emotions of worthlessness and fear that had followed me from my childhood. I was able to make the connections to the present day from my childhood and clear the stigma that I wasn’t able to before.
Dan and Dr. Royster along with Ms. Harris put on an outstanding class. Never have I left a training class feeling so empowered to help others. This training would benefit so many veteran advocates, first responders and health care professionals.
It was interesting being the client and not the therapist for a change. when Dan ran me through Emotions Management Process (EMP) , I remember doing a scan over a lot of things I had previously processed, it helped provide more clarity. It released emotions I didn’t know were there. As I was responding to work calls, checking emails, and sitting in zoom meetings that should’ve been an email, I reflexively wanted to be angry. It’s effortless in those situations, at least it used to be. Sitting in that moment I wanted instinctually wanted to be angry and I thought pleasant thoughts. Instead of accepting the thought that I should’ve been angry, my brain chose to be happy instead. I was able to feel content in a very very very long time. Thanks, Dan I owe you…..
RESILIANCY COACHING IMPACT
I wanted to share with the group. I’m working with a veteran that has been suffering greatly with PTSD-homeless a few times, unemployed, etc. We had one session and cleared anger using the Emotions Management Process (EMP) only. He came in for the next session and told me he had had the “best 4 days in 2 decades!” Now on to the Trauma Resiliency Protocol (TRP).
Angela Michels, LMHC in Fort Walton Beach, FL. (904) 557-8618 - amichelslmhc@gmail.com
My best friend died in my arms in the jungles of Vietnam in 1969; we were infantrymen. I have lived with grief and trauma every day since then. I spent a little time with Dan Jarvis, and he helped me reframe my grief over the death of my buddy in about 10 minutes. I let it go using the Emotions Management Process (EMP), then we cleared three traumas in a single 45-minute session using the Trauma Resiliency Protocol (TRP), my sleep is back to normal, and my triggers are gone. This is life-changing. Thanks, Dan and 22ZERO!
Andy B
I've never felt so light, if that makes sense. It's like my trauma from the past is a book I read, not me.
I came to Jesse (Board Member of 22Zero) because I was absolutely paralyzed with fear due to PTS from a traumatic childhood. My relationships were near non-existent, I barely left my house, and the coaching business I'd been trying to get off the ground was going nowhere. My anxiety was constant, and I felt easily overwhelmed; just thinking about going outside of my comfort zone triggered an anxiety attack. I felt like I was running while tied to a tree, desperate to move forward but was being held back by my past. In my TRP session with Jesse, he explained to me what he did, how the session would go, and what I could expect afterwards; he was confident and knowledgeable while also being understanding and kind as he took me through the process. I had many traumatic events throughout my childhood that on a scale of 0 - 10 were mostly 10's where 10 is extreme fear/anxiety, and by the end of our 90-minute session, all of these 10's were set to 0. My paralyzing anxiety shifted to empowerment in just one 90-minute session with Jesse. I've never felt more confident and full of joy than I have right now. I've been told that I look like I'm glowing and that my energy feels 40 lbs. lighter. The thought of going outside of my comfort zone now lights me up and excites me, and I'm easily able to take action that I never would have before. I'm not terrified of the world anymore and I'm no longer tied to that tree. Working with Jesse gave me my life back and I can't wait to see where it goes now that I'm free. If you're not sure this method is for you, I implore you to suspend doubt and give yourself this gift, you won't regret it.
Sincerely,
Liz Laplante
I am a 28 yr veteran of law enforcement. I had no idea all the events I experienced during my career had such an impact on me, until I retired.
Once retired, my brain got to slow down a bit and I started recalling various events that caused me to feel anxious, insecure, on edge. But not on edge as in anger, but rather more of a fight or flight feeling, on guard, protective. I wasn't sleeping well and there was a heaviness. That's kind of hard to explain, but it was that, or maybe a darkness? I met with Dr. Janell Royster with 22Zero and we began talking. Not only was she a pleasure to speak with, but she is patient took me through the process. I didn't need to talk about specifics and rehash triggers. We worked through the process and it was empowering, relieving and tiring. I felt good by the end of our session, but tired. That night, I slept through without waking. That was the first time in a very long time that I slept a restful night's sleep and without waking up in the middle. Today, it's pouring but it's a brighter day. I feel lighter and clearer. I know I'm on the right track and know Dr. Royster, Dan Jarvis and everyone at 22Zero is there for me and others who have served our communities and our country.
Mellissa D.
My Name is Julie Walker and I am a counsellor in Australia. As the mother of a Veteran my goal is to help as many Veterans as I possibly can. Many of the Veterans I see are under the age of thirty and are living with debilitating PTSD. The suicide rate for Veterans in Australia is ridiculously high. I am constantly researching, looking for ways to help the young people I see so together with my husband we developed an Equine Acceptance Therapy Program for Veterans and First Responders.
I stumbled across a post by Dan Jarvis at 22Zero about eliminating the symptoms of PTSD called Tactical Resiliency. I emailed Dan immediately but since I am in Australia and Dan is in America, I was expecting to wait a while before I received a response. Dan emailed me back instantly. After introducing myself to Dan and expressing my interest in learning more about the process Dan advised me there was a training session for counsellors coming up within the next week. I joined there and then. During training every participant had the opportunity to personally experience the TRAUMA RESILIENCY-PROTOCOL and the EMOTIONS MANAGEMENT PROCESS. This was amazing. I don’t know what I expected but I was so surprised when looking back at previous trauma I was no longer triggered. The first person I ran the process on was my husband. His response was amazing. I started running through the process with clients who I have a great rapport and trust with. Again, fantastic results. I now discuss this process with every client I see and give them the opportunity to participate when they are ready. Most clients can not wait. This has extended to First Responders, Cancer Survivors and clients with limited belief, self-esteem, abandonment and guilt issues. At present I am the only person in Australia trained in delivering the Tactical Resiliency Process and I am so proud that, TOGETHER WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO A PURPOSE AND RESTORING THE LIVES OF AUSTRALIA’S AND AMERICA’S SONS AND DAUGHTERS THAT PUT A UNIFORM ON FOR A PURPOSE MUCH BIGGER THAN SELF.
Julie Walker