Warriors for Life (WFL) - "(DON'T) Sweep It Under the Rug!" with Derrick & Friends TONIGHT
- Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
- 7 days ago
- 3 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: "(DON'T) Sweep It Under the Rug!"
Join Derrick and Friends TONIGHT as we talk about "(DON'T) Sweep It Under the Rug!" A discussion about hiding mental health issues.
"Sweep it under the rug" in a mental health context means to suppress, ignore, or hide difficult emotions, thoughts, or past traumas instead of addressing them. This avoidance can stem from conflict avoidance, a lack of emotional capacity, fear of vulnerability, or a modeled "sweep-it-under-the-rug" philosophy from childhood. While some techniques like thought suppression can offer temporary relief, chronic avoidance leads to unresolved pain, resentment, anxiety, and dysregulated nervous systems, hindering authentic living and relationships.
Why People Sweep Things Under the Rug
Fear of Conflict: A reluctance to face disagreements or potential emotional harm.
Lack of Capacity: An inability to deal with stressors due to low energy reserves or overwhelm.
Disconnection from Voice: Not knowing how to articulate feelings or speak one's point of view.
Trauma Response: A deep-seated survival mechanism developed to cope with dangerous or unsafe emotional environments.
Stigma: Societal stigma surrounding mental illness can prevent individuals from seeking help for issues like depression, as seen with young adults.
The Consequences of Sweeping Under the Rug:
Unspoken Resentment:
Hidden frustrations and feelings build up, creating distance and discord in relationships.
Increased Anxiety:
Suppressed emotions can lead to heightened anxiety and other negative mental health outcomes.
Emotional Burnout:
The constant effort to suppress feelings is exhausting and can deplete emotional resources.
Compromised Authenticity:
Patterns of avoidance hinder a person's ability to live authentically and connect with their true needs and feelings.
Generational Trauma:
When this pattern is passed down through families, it creates deeply ingrained generational trauma.
How to Heal and Stop the Pattern:
Acknowledge and Name:
Consciously acknowledge the painful thoughts and emotions you are trying to hide
Grounding Practices:
Use techniques like deep breathing or holding your heart to calm your nervous system and create space to connect with your true feelings.
Find Support:
Consider therapy, where you can learn healthy ways to process emotions and gain tools for healing.
Set Boundaries:
Establish boundaries in relationships to prevent others from reinforcing the "sweep it under the rug" mentality.
Address Core Beliefs:
Work to identify and change the fundamental beliefs that drive the need to hide, especially if they are learned behaviors from childhood.
Hiding mental health issues is a coping mechanism where individuals conceal their struggles due to stigma, shame, or societal pressure, particularly cultural expectations about gender or family honor. This practice, while sometimes necessary for self-preservation, carries significant risks, including worsening symptoms, increased likelihood of crisis, neglect of self-care, and strained relationships. Recognizing warning signs like sleep or appetite changes, mood shifts, social withdrawal, or problems with functioning can help identify if someone is hiding their mental health issues.
Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Forever Forward!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Thursday (TONIGHT), September 25, 2025, @ 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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