Spotlight on The Wounded Mind Project - Waging the Battle Against Combat PTSD

In our experiences in dealing with Combat PTSD, we have found that there are many AWESOME charities and people that not only support Veterans but also give us a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. We'd like to give these amazing individuals not only a shout out but also would like to encourage you to check out their organizations as well!

Wounded Mind Project:

The Wounded Mind Project is the creation of Hunter Melson. Hunter is an 18 year college student who had a dream – a dream to get out his weapon, load it and stop Combat PTSD in its tracks. As a student of the medical field and through personal experience, Hunter has seen Combat PTSD rear its ugly head first hand.

Hunter’s brother is a Marine that served two tours in Afghanistan and his father is a retired Navy Corpsman. Unfortunately, like many other Warriors, Hunter’s brother came home not only a hero but also a changed man. He is a hero that is now afflicted with Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Although post-traumatic stress disorder has been around for centuries, it is a very little understood disorder – by both the medical profession and the public.

Some Warriors liken it to being on “Orange Alert” all of the time and having an impending feeling of danger although no danger is present. The stress that this causes has a way of manifesting itself in many different ways – none of them positive. The wounded minds of Warriors that are experiencing this disorder have a tendency to exacerbate their symptoms in many forms of acting out. From substance abuse to suicide. From sexual disorders to spousal abuse. From life hindering depression to anger. From self-isolation to paranoia. Combat PTSD is quite the angry monster and people like Hunter’s brother are victims in its clutches.

However, Hunter has a dream. His dream is that ALL Warriors are given proper medical care and community support to ease the burdens of Combat PTSD, While this is quite a noble goal, it is not one that Hunter can accomplish by himself. He desperately needs your help - both in your generous support of his charity and also though your desire as a Patriot and an American to help raise awareness of Combat PTSD and support our Warriors both locally and nationally. Thus, the Wounded Mind Project was born.

Our Brave Warriors don’t just need money – that would be too easy of a solution. They also need your support and to know that you are grateful for their service. Unfortunately, many Veterans feel that the sacrifices that they made during the recent wars were for a very ungrateful nation. This is where you come in.

Every purchase that you make through the Wounded Mind Project does two things. It allows Hunter to donate proceeds to Veteran’s charities that research how to effectively treat Combat PTSD and provide support for the Warriors but it also shows our Veterans around the nation that we care.

You see, the Wounded Mind Project is more than just a charity. It is also an opportunity to show that you support our Veterans through wearing the t-shirts and proudly displaying the decals that the Wounded Mind Project offers as a way to thank you for your donation. You see, Hunter and many others believe that AWARENESS is the key to stopping the 22 suicides a day that are committed by Veterans afflicted with Combat PTSD. Hunter knows the massive need for help first hand.

Sadly, a close friend of his brother's and close family friend, Brent, recently joined “Club 22” and committed suicide. Hunter knew then that he had a mission to complete. Hunter states that he wants to express that people fighting this disorder and even those who lose the battle with PTSD are in no way weak or cowardly for what they do. This disorder is beyond the mind's control and there is no fault to be placed for any actions these heroes take regarding their life. Most of us cannot relate to what they are going through and therefore have no right to judge or make assumptions. Hunter’s explanation for his mission is simple. He said, “As Paulo Coelho once said in his book The Alchemist, ‘The world we live in will be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse. And that's where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are’. The love for my brother, my family, my country and its heroes fighting for it inspired me to start this campaign to make the world better than I found it."

For more information on The Wounded Mind Project and how to help, please visit their site at woundedmindproject.com