Join Derrick, Friends, & Some Camaraderie TONIGHT for "Do You Remember?" with Warriors for Life (WFL)
- Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
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.
TONIGHT's Topic: "Do You Remember?"
Join Derrick and friends TONIGHT for "Do You Remember?" A discussion about memories and mental health.
Memories profoundly shape mental health by acting as a filter for current emotions, with positive memories boosting resilience and serotonin, while negative or traumatic memories can trigger stress, anxiety, and depression. They influence behavior, self-worth, and daily mood through "mood-congruent memory," where the brain recalls memories matching the current emotional state.
Impact of Positive Memories:
Boost Well-being: Revisiting happy moments releases dopamine, reduces stress, and increases feelings of contentment.
Build Resilience: Recalling positive experiences, especially during difficult times, can regulate emotions, enhance self-image, and decrease depression risk.
Foster Connection: Nostalgia and pleasant memories strengthen feelings of social belonging and reduce loneliness.
Impact of Negative/Traumatic Memories:
Trigger Stress Response: Negative memories can cause the brain to re-experience trauma, inducing physical symptoms like increased heart rate, as the amygdala interprets them as current threats.
Form Pathological Patterns: Lingering on painful, embarrassing, or, or traumatic memories can perpetuate depression, anxiety, and create, or worsen, PTSD.
Distort Time: Traumatic memories often remain vivid and, when recalled, can feel like they are happening in the present, leading to flashbacks.
Memory and Brain Mechanisms:
Mood-Congruent Memory: The brain tends to pull up memories that match the current emotional state, creating a feedback loop.
Malleability: Memories are not static; they change each time they are retrieved, allowing for potential therapeutic re-framing.
Suppression: Extremely overwhelming, traumatic memories may be hidden, which can protect a person initially but later lead to psychological problems.
By understanding that memories are malleable, individuals can use positive recall to counteract negative thought patterns and improve overall mental health.
Benefits of Sharing Your Story!
Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Forever Forward!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Thursday (TONIGHT), February 19, 2026, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81682532691
Thank you,
Derrick Iozzio, Army Veteran, Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor, Catch 22 Peer Support Founder, & Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)
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