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Drop in with Derrick and Friends TONIGHT for "Pass the Remote!" 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 what support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing via 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.


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TONIGHT's Topic:  "Pass the Remote!"


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Join Derrick and Friends TONIGHT as we talk about "Pass the Remote!"  A discussion about mental health triggers.


Mental health triggers are internal or external stimuli that cause an intense emotional or physical reaction related to a past trauma or negative experience. They are like a TV remote because they can instantly change a person's emotional state, from calm to distressed, with the press of a "button". 


Triggers in mental health

Triggers activate a person's nervous system as if the traumatic event is happening again, causing a reaction that is often disproportionate to the current situation. Everyone's triggers are different and deeply personal. 


Examples of triggers


  • External: A loud noise, a specific smell, a crowded space, or a visual cue can be a trigger.

  • Internal: Thoughts, memories, physical sensations like a racing heart, or intense emotions can also be triggers.

  • Contextual: An anniversary of a trauma, a specific location, or even watching a show with sensitive content can act as a trigger. 


Common reactions to triggers


  • Physical: Rapid heartbeat, heavy breathing, sweating, or muscle tension.

  • Emotional: Overwhelming fear, panic, intense anger, or sadness.

  • Behavioral: Fight, flight, or freeze responses, avoidance of certain situations, or withdrawal from others. 


The TV Remote Metaphor


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This metaphor highlights how a trigger can abruptly and powerfully shift a person's mental and emotional state, often without warning. 

TV Remote Function 

Mental Health Trigger

Pressing a button

A specific sight, sound, or thought.

Instant channel change

A rapid and often involuntary shift from a calm state to one of high emotional distress or a trauma response.

Random access

Some triggers may seem completely unrelated to the past event on the surface, but a specific "button" was still pressed. For example, a song on the radio (the "button") could instantly bring a person back to the feeling of a past traumatic event.

Volume control

The intensity of the reaction can vary. Some triggers cause mild discomfort, while others can lead to a severe panic attack.

Predictability issues

Just as not every button press on a remote will have the same effect on every TV, different triggers affect people differently. A person who is not aware of their specific triggers may feel like their reactions come out of nowhere.

Types of Mental Health Triggers


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Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Forever Forward!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Thursday (TONIGHT), September 18, 2025, @ 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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