Home Base Florida, a local non-profit founded by the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital dedicated to supporting veterans and military families impacted by the invisible wounds of war, will host national PTSD expert Wes Sanders, PhD, for a free virtual presentation on grief Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 12-1 p.m.

The grief talk is being held in recognition of Memorial Day celebrated annually in May. This annual observance honors the millions of Americans who tragically lost their lives while serving this country. Without the sacrifice of these men and women in uniform, America would not stand. The ideals of freedom and democracy of the United States are only possible due to their service. One of the ways people can honor their memory, is to be there for those who serve when they return home and transition to civilian life – many who struggle with survivors’ guilt and invisible wounds including depression, PTSD, anxiety and traumatic brain injury.

The presentation is appropriate for military families and loved ones who have lost a veteran or those who support Veterans. The presentation includes an introduction to the function of grief, the development of complicated grief responses, ways to look towards the future, and self-care considerations for Memorial Day.

Sanders, a United States Marine Corps Reserve Veteran, is a staff psychologist at Home Base and specializes in the treatment of PTSD and readjustment issues for veterans, including family and parenting difficulties. He provides individual and group therapy services. He is trained in prolonged exposure therapy and is a VA certified provider of cognitive processing therapy for the treatment of PTSD. His research interests focus on supporting military/veteran families, particularly during transition to civilian life.

To register for the free event, visit HomeBase.org/events, call 239-338-8389 or email homebasefl@partners.org.

About Home Base Florida

Home Base is one of the first and largest non-profits in the country dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war through clinical care, wellness, education and research – all at no cost to veterans and families. Concerned by the rising suicides and health challenges Florida veterans were facing when they returned home, Home Base opened Home Base Florida in 2014. Partnering with Florida Gulf Coast University, Lee Health, Tampa General Hospital and David Lawrence Centers, Home Base Florida provides world-class clinical care, wellness-based programs and peer support for Veterans, Service Members, and their Families. All care and support are provided at no cost, regardless of ability to pay, experience level or discharge status. To learn more about Home Base Florida or to connect to care, visit www.homebase.org/florida.