Within the unassuming, functional setting of a white-walled room at the Albuquerque Veteran Affairs Medical Center, an extraordinary scene unfolds. It is a space where countless stories have been shared, often narratives etched with sorrow and hardship. But here, five veterans sit, their faces reflecting a shared history, their posture embodying mutual respect. They form a circle, an unbroken ring of understanding, bound together by experiences that transcend words.
These men are all Vietnam War veterans. More significantly, they are united by a diagnosis that shadows their lives: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Adding another layer to their shared identity, they are all of Navajo descent. This convergence of war, trauma, and cultural heritage forms the foundation of a unique therapeutic approach: the talking circle. Talking Circle Helps Veterans Cope with Stress Disorder is the heart of their journey to healing.
On the first and third Fridays of each month, these veterans, along with others who share their burdens, gather to participate in the talking circle. This is a sanctuary where they can express thoughts and feelings that they often find impossible to articulate to those outside their circle of shared experience, even their own families. In this space, a fundamental rule reigns: when one speaks, all listen. There are no interruptions, no judgments, only the unwavering support of fellow travelers on a difficult path.
The talking circle is a therapeutic method steeped in ancient traditions. Its roots extend back thousands of years and are found in numerous cultures across the globe. James Gillies, a psychologist at the VA Medical Center’s PTSD clinic, emphasizes the profound respect and almost sacred atmosphere that permeates these gatherings. The power of the circle lies in its ability to combat the isolation and alienation that often accompany PTSD. As Gillies explains, "With PTSD, people feel very alone and don’t tend to talk about their inner experience." The shared experience and the opportunity to voice deeply buried emotions, even the most painful ones, provides a sense of hope and connection.
The Talking Circle Helps Veterans Cope with Stress Disorder is just one facet of the VA’s comprehensive approach to supporting veterans grappling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The need for such services is undeniable, with the number of veterans seeking help steadily increasing. Since 2003, a significant number of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been treated at the Albuquerque VA for these conditions. Gillies underscores the urgency of the situation, stating, "I would say the number of people we’re treating is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of need."
Al Benalli, a 58-year-old Navajo veteran who served as a combat medic in Vietnam, intimately understands the arduous path to recovery. He speaks with empathy about the paradoxical fear that can arise in those struggling with PTSD: "People with PTSD get afraid of getting better because they don’t know wellness, don’t know peace of mind." He recognizes the profound isolation that many veterans experience, the feeling of being alone in their struggles. The talking circle, he believes, offers a lifeline, providing the time to talk and the solace of being heard.
The talking circle provides a sense of community that can be instrumental in resisting destructive urges. Sharing experiences and releasing pent-up emotions is a powerful antidote to the feelings of disconnect that often plague veterans with PTSD. Benalli explains, "Coming to the group and feeling part of the community goes a long way to help resisting the urges of drugs or alcohol. They can share their experiences and let them out of the bag a little bit. With all they experienced, they feel that civilians can’t relate to them; but among the group, they feel they are able to talk."
While not exclusively limited to Navajo veterans, the talking circle at the Albuquerque VA primarily serves the American Indian population. On average, ten to twelve veterans participate in each meeting, drawn from a pool of thirty to thirty-five individuals. Gillies notes that the method is particularly effective with Native American veterans because it aligns with their cultural values and traditions. "We understand that the world view Native Americans hold is really, really different from the Western world view," he emphasizes. "If you don’t relate to them from that point of view, it’s just not going to work." The talking circle provides a culturally sensitive space where veterans feel understood and respected.
The VA’s talking circle was initially established a decade prior, but it ceased meeting for a period after the original facilitator left. In January, Gillies, with his experience facilitating a talking circle at Acoma Pueblo, stepped in to revive the program. He recognizes that Native American veterans often carry a unique burden, in addition to the trauma of combat.
Gillies elaborates on this point: "For a people that are basically treated like second-class citizens in their own country, Native Americans are always the first ones to volunteer and step up to go to war." The complex interplay of patriotism, cultural identity, and historical injustices adds another layer to the challenges these veterans face.
Chester Clah, a 56-year-old veteran from Farmington, echoes this sentiment. He felt a deep sense of obligation to serve his country. "The warrior is in our blood," Clah explains. "When I first went, I felt like I had to do it, because if I didn’t, I couldn’t live with myself. Looking back on it, I should have gone to Canada, the way I’m suffering now." His words reflect the profound cost of war, both physical and emotional.
While some talking circles employ ceremonial objects, such as rocks or sticks, to designate the speaker, the VA’s circle operates on a different principle. Here, the individual who feels the most pressing need to speak simply begins when the moment feels right. The atmosphere is one of profound respect, characterized by attentive listening and an absence of interruptions. Even during particularly emotional moments, the room remains silent, offering the speaker the space and support to continue.
Thomas Bitsie, a 59-year-old Navajo veteran from Shiprock, speaks candidly about the long-lasting scars of war. "People like stories that have a beautiful ending, but none of the stuff we’re here for has a beautiful ending," he observes. "The only thing that war determines, I suppose, is who’s left. I put up with it, but I needed a lot of cooling off, and I did it with a Coors Lite." His words reveal the struggles with substance abuse that often accompany PTSD, a desperate attempt to cope with unbearable pain.
Before finding solace in the brotherhood of the talking circle, many of these men contemplated death as a welcome escape. "A lot of Vietnam veterans died there and didn’t know it until they came home," Clah reflects. "You come to a point when there’s nothing else you can do – it seems there’s no future anymore. That puts thoughts in your mind, but suicide is the easy way out – to learn to stay around and fight is hard." The Talking Circle Helps Veterans Cope with Stress Disorder by offering an alternative to despair, a path toward healing and resilience.
Choosing life with PTSD requires a constant battle to separate the past from the present. Gillies explains the cyclical nature of the disorder: "PTSD is reinforced after the event by all the symptoms of re-experiencing, like nightmares and flashbacks. People develop avoidance strategies and hyperarousal – being tense and keyed up – unable to sleep and constantly on guard to fight off negative experiences, whether real or just in the mind." This constant state of alert takes a tremendous toll on the individual.
For Benalli, the lingering effects of PTSD manifest in everyday life. "I don’t sleep with a knife under my pillow anymore, but at work every three days, I walk a perimeter to make sure everybody’s OK," he admits. "I can’t go hiking because I’m checking for booby traps and snipers." His experiences illustrate the pervasive and intrusive nature of PTSD, blurring the lines between reality and trauma.
Each talking circle session typically lasts around two hours, providing ample time for everyone to share their experiences and receive support. Gillies observes that there is a collective sense of when an issue has been thoroughly discussed and everyone has had the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings.
The sessions conclude with a prayer delivered in the native language of one of the circle members. "The group intentionally has different people speaking different prayers in different languages," Gillies explains. "That way, there’s not a particular spiritual base being practiced." This inclusive approach ensures that all participants feel comfortable and respected, regardless of their individual beliefs.
As the veterans leave the room, the relief of opening up, even if only for a brief time, is palpable on their faces. Benalli acknowledges the ongoing nature of the healing process: "I’ve been healing a long time, and I don’t think it’s ever going to end. But if we can do anything to give of ourselves to ease somebody else’s pain, that’s what we’re going to do." The Talking Circle Helps Veterans Cope with Stress Disorder by fostering a sense of purpose and connection, reminding these veterans that they are not alone in their struggles and that their experiences can be a source of strength and healing for others.