The Rally Mental Health Peer Support Group

03/03/2026

Why War Triggers PTSD

War creates a "perfect storm" for psychological trauma because it shatters a person's sense of safety and moral order. Key triggers include:

Hypervigilance: The brain’s "alarm system" (the amygdala) becomes permanently stuck in the "on" position to survive constant threats.

Moral Injury: This occurs when a soldier performs, witnesses, or fails to prevent acts that deeply transgress their own moral beliefs.

Survivor’s Guilt: The intense distress caused by surviving a situation where friends or comrades did not.

The Transition Gap: Moving from a high-stakes, structured combat environment to a quiet, civilian life can cause a profound sense of isolation.

Modern Understanding and Treatment
Today, we recognize that PTSD isn't a sign of a "broken" person, but a brain that has adapted to survive an extreme environment. The physics of modern trauma—such as the impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) from IEDs—also plays a massive role in how PTSD manifests.

12/02/2026

https://youtu.be/KSoXfmT81LQ?si=vthUmZSKs8ikfyZW

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

20/12/2025

19/09/2025

When you cwtch with someone you care about, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin that calms you and makes you more likely to deal better with stress. For example, you might laugh, distract yourself, or try to solve a problem. It also can lower your blood pressure and lower levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol, which also can help.

30/08/2025

On January 26, 1972, Vesna Vulović, a 22-year-old Serbian flight attendant, was aboard JAT Yugoslav Airlines Flight 367, a DC-9 en route from Stockholm to Belgrade. During the flight, a suitcase bomb exploded in the baggage compartment, causing the aircraft to break apart mid-air. The tail section, where Vesna was located, plummeted approximately 33,000 feet (10,160 meters) before crashing into a snow-covered hillside near Srbská Kamenice in Czechoslovakia.

Remarkably, Vesna was the only survivor among the 28 passengers and crew. She was found by a local villager, Bruno Honke, who heard her screams and provided first aid until rescuers arrived. Vesna suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull, three broken vertebrae, broken legs, ribs, and pelvis, leading to temporary paralysis from the waist down. She was in a coma for 27 days and underwent extensive rehabilitation over 16 months.

Despite the odds, Vesna made a remarkable recovery and returned to work as a flight attendant. She later transitioned to a desk job at JAT Airlines and became a prominent figure in Yugoslavia, known for her resilience and determination.

In recognition of her extraordinary survival, Vesna was awarded the Guinness World Record for the highest fall survived without a parachute. Her story continues to inspire people worldwide, serving as a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Emotional Takeaway: Vesna Vulović's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination that can emerge in the face of unimaginable adversity.

09/03/2025

Tomorrow (Wednesday 5th March), Sarah from Adferiad Swansea’s Seibiant Service joining us at Swansea Carers Centre.

Drop in between 10am - 12pm to find out about respite and support available to carers of people with mental illness, drug or alcohol use, gambling harms or other challenging circumstances.

09/02/2025

It is OK, not to be OK.

22/11/2024

Insulin resistance and Stress and anxiety are linked. Avoid carbs that come from bags, boxes and barcodes.