TONIGHT Join Mikel & Friends for "The Edge" with Warriors for Life (WFL)!
- Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
Drop in with Volunteer and Army Veteran Mikel Burroughs for "Burly's Warriors" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, 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.
"The Edge"
Join Army Veteran Mikel Burroughs and friends for a discussion about "The Edge" A discussion about navigating the darkness - spotting the signs and pulling our brothers and sister back from the edge!
Welcome to Burly's Warriors!
Good evening, family. Welcome to tonight’s special "Burly’s Warriors" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL). Grab a seat at the table. This is a completely safe, confidential, and judgment-free firebase.
Tonight, we are taking off the armor. We are talking about the heaviest battle of all—the invisible warfare that happens inside the minds of our Veterans, First Responders, Active-Duty members, and the Caregivers who stand by them. Sometimes, the weight of the trauma, the noise, and the exhaustion pushes a warrior right to the absolute edge. They feel trapped, isolated, and completely out of options.
We need to know how to spot them when they are slipping. More importantly, we need to know exactly how to reach out and pull them back into safety. You do not have to fight this invisible fight alone. Your presence matters, your wisdom matters, and your life matters. Let’s lock in, listen to one another, and build the bridge someone here might desperately need tonight.
Deep Dive – Early and Late Warning Signs
Early Warning Signs (The Slow Slide)
Social Withdrawal: Canceling plans consistently, ignoring texts, and pulling away from close friends, battle buddies, or family.
Loss of Interest: Abandoning long-time hobbies, sports, or activities they used to love.
Mood Shifts: Subtle increases in irritability, sudden low energy, or unexpected bursts of anger over small things.
Neglecting Self-Care: Noticeable drops in personal hygiene, grooming, or keeping up with household chores.
Changes in Routine: Drastic changes in sleeping patterns (insomnia or oversleeping) and sudden shifts in appetite.
Fixation on the Past: Constantly talking about "the good old days" or feeling trapped by past traumatic events.
Caregiver Burnout: Emotional numbness, chronic physical fatigue, and expressing feelings of resentment or total helplessness.
Late Warning Signs (The Critical Zone)
Direct Expressions of Hopelessness: Making statements such as "There’s no point anymore," "I'm a burden to everyone," or "I just want the pain to end."
Finality Behaviors: Unexpectedly settling affairs, giving away prized possessions, or making sudden changes to legal documents like wills or insurance.
A Sudden Shift to Calmness: A sudden, unexplained transition from extreme distress to a state of peace. This can sometimes indicate that a person has reached a dangerous internal conclusion regarding their struggle.
High-Risk Actions: Increased reliance on substances, reckless driving, or taking unnecessary physical risks.
Securing Potentially Dangerous Items: Searching for or acquiring items that could be used for self-harm.
Total Withdrawal: Complete cessation of communication with friends, family, and the support network.
Best Methods to Pull Someone Back from the Edge
Direct and Compassionate Communication: Ask clearly about their well-being and if they are thinking about harming themselves. Open communication provides a path to safety.
Listen Without Judgment: Provide a space for them to express their feelings without interruption or the urge to "fix" the problem immediately.
Validate the Experience: Acknowledge the weight of their burden. Use supportive language like, "It sounds like things are incredibly heavy right now, and no one should have to carry that alone."
Increase Environmental Safety: Collaborate to ensure that any items that could cause immediate harm are secured or removed from the environment.
Stay Present: If someone is in immediate crisis, do not leave them alone. Physical presence or staying on the line can be a lifeline.
Focus on Connection: Remind them of their importance to the community and the people who care for them.
What to Do When You Cannot Pull Them Back Alone
Mobilize Professional Support: Contact crisis lifelines immediately. In the US, dialing 988 and pressing 1 connects Veterans and their families to specialized support.
Expand the Safety Net: Reach out to trusted family members, friends, or medical professionals to help manage the situation.
Seek Emergency Care: Accompany the individual to the nearest emergency room or a VA medical facility for immediate professional intervention.
Stay Connected: If the person is not physically present, stay on the phone with them while coordinating help via another line.
Transparency and Love: Be honest about the need for more help, emphasizing that their safety and life are the priority.
Support for the Supporter: After a crisis, seek peer support or professional counseling to process the experience and maintain personal well-being.
The courage shown by veterans, first responders, and caregivers in discussing these topics is vital. Recognizing the signs of the "invisible struggle" is a shared responsibility. No one has to face the darkness alone; the strength of the pack is in its willingness to look out for one another and reach out when the weight becomes too much to bear.
Call to Action
Our Vision at Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is simple: "Where Hope, Support, and Healing come together!"
We encourage you to join us, Everyone is Welcome, Everyone Matters, You Matter to Us, so Talk to Us! — invite a friend!
Veterans Crisis Line (24/7): Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255, or use online chat.
Warriors for Life (WFL) Peer Support Network Online "Burly's Warriors" edition, presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — May 23, 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/87197441247
Remember: Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) meets on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays — (7-days) a week. Every week stay connected on Friday Mornings with "Coffee with Lauren" and Monday Mornings for "Cup O' Joe" with Derrick at 8:00 AM CT.
“Everyone Matters, Talk to Us!"— Army Veteran Mikel Burroughs
Thank you,
Army Veteran Mikel Burroughs, Founder & Volunteer Facilitator, Warriors for Life (WFL), & CEO, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)
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