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Don't Miss TONIGHT as Derrick & Friends Discuss "Broken!" with Warriors for Life (WFL)

Join our Volunteer, Army Veteran & Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor Derrick Iozzio TONIGHT for "Forever Forward!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).


We are asking everyone to share who we are and the support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing through Warriors for Life (WFL). If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.



TONIGHT's Topic: "Broken!"



Join Derrick and friends TONIGHT for "Broken!" A discussion about mental health and life.


For veterans, first responders, and active-duty service members, the feeling of being "broken" is often a response to "invisible wounds"—psychological injuries like PTSD, depression, and moral injury that are just as severe as physical ones. This state often stems from the accumulation of traumatic events, such as combat exposure, witnessing death, or experiencing betrayal (like military sexual trauma), which can eventually overwhelm even the most resilient individuals. 


How Being "Broken" Affects Daily Life



When a service member reaches this point, the habits that kept them safe in high-threat environments often become obstacles in civilian or family life. 


  • Social Isolation: A person who was once outgoing may stop attending gatherings, shut down in crowds, or withdraw from family to protect them from their experiences.

  • Strained Relationships: Emotional numbness and irritability can lead to marital dissolution and difficulty bonding with children.

  • Professional Decline: Concentration and memory issues can cause incomplete tasks, poor work relationships, and compromised safety for fellow team members.

  • Loss of Identity: The transition to civilian life can lead to a disorienting loss of purpose and structure. 


Indicators of a Crisis or "Broken" State



Indicators may be obvious or internal and intangible. 


  • Behavioral: Increased recklessness, substance misuse to "self-medicate," or giving away prized possessions.

  • Physical: Constant fatigue despite pushing through routines, chronic pain, and severe sleep disturbances like nightmares or insomnia.

  • Emotional: Persistent feelings of worthlessness, survivor's guilt, or an inability to experience positive emotions like love and satisfaction.

  • Cognitive: Hypervigilance (being constantly on edge), mental fog, and intrusive memories or flashbacks. 


Path to Healing: Strategies for Recovery



Healing is possible, and many veterans find new purpose through a combination of treatment and self-care. 


  • Evidence-Based Therapies: Techniques like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reproscessing (EMRD) help reframe traumatic memories.

  • Peer Support: Connecting with others who share similar experiences reduces the sense of isolation and helps normalize the journey to recovery.

  • Holistic Approaches: Activities like yoga, mindfulness, and outdoor fitness can help regain a sense of calm and control.

  • Confidential Resources: Tools like the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, then Press 1) and Military OneSource provide immediate, 24/7 support. 


For Caregivers: How to Support and Sustain



Caregivers often face "secondary trauma" and must maintain their own health to be effective. 


  • Practical Help: Instead of asking "How can I help?", offer specific actions like running errands or taking over household chores to give the service member a break.

  • Active Listening: Provide a safe space to listen without judgment or the need to "fix" everything immediately.

  • Prioritize Self-Care: Caregivers should join networks like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes or VA Caregiver Support to prevent burnout.

  • Educate and Empathize: Learning about the mechanics of PTSD and moral injury can help caregivers understand that the behaviors (like anger or withdrawal) are symptoms of an injury, not a lack of love. 



Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Forever Forward!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Thursday (TONIGHT), April 16, 2026, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET



Thank you,


Derrick Iozzio, Army Veteran, Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor, Catch 22 Peer Support Founder, & Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)


"Honor & Respect Always — Warriors for Life!"

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