Author: MSTy Days

  • For Moms with MST

    For Moms with MST

    Happy Mother’s Day! Because I am not a psychologist or an expert at anything along those lines, I only have my own experiences to offer. My sons were born in the late 80’s, I was fresh out of the military and 23 years old. When they were growing up, was I a good Mom? No.…

  • MST disability claim filed successfully after 38 years

    MST disability claim filed successfully after 38 years

    Seize every opportunity along the way, for how sad it would be if the road you chose became the road not taken. -Robert Brault Let me tell you how it went for me and perhaps you may feel some hope toward filing a claim. I learned about “MST” in 2005 and that there was a…

  • About the “Trauma” in MST

    About the “Trauma” in MST

    “PTSD is a whole-body tragedy, an integral human event of enormous proportions with massive repercussions.”― Susan Pease Banitt The trauma from MST stems not only from the sexual assault or harassment itself but also that it is a betrayal. Aspects of the military environment the contribute to trauma: Some symptoms of MST listed on PsychCentral.com: As…

  • Advocates for MST

    Advocates for MST

    You think you might not be heard. Speak anyway. – Maya Angelou Advocacy efforts for MST have created tremendous change. Advocates support survivors, raise awareness, and push for systematic changes. Below are a few key organizations: Protect Our Defenders: “Protect Our Defenders (POD) is the pre-eminent national human rights organization dedicated to ending sexual violence,…

  • MST Related Books

    MST Related Books

    Companions for Knowledge and Healing Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot Books about Military Sexual Trauma (MST) cover the many aspects of being a survivor. There are powerful narratives, research outcomes, and personal accounts…

  • Men and MST

    Men and MST

    Breaking the Silence VA Infographic, Men & MST & VA MST Brochure for Men Some of the driving forces behind the MST map is protecting anonymity while telling a collective story. It also exists to spread the message that “you are not alone.” The VA has a national screening program which requires that every Veteran…

  • MST – Multiple Map Markers

    MST – Multiple Map Markers

    The Case For Multiple MST Map Markers The Military Sexual Trauma (MST) map is a geographic tool that allows survivors to anonymously mark locations where they experienced harassment or assault while serving in the military. These markers are far more than just a point on a map.  Each marker represents an individual event with a…

  • MSTmap – Background

    MSTmap – Background

    The Journey of Building the MST Map Website: A Platform for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors MST map began as an idea that kept lingering in my mind… What if there was a map for MST survivors? I remembered seeing an amazing Me-Too map, and wondered what a similar platform for MST survivors might look like.…

  • MSTmap Origin Story

    MSTmap Origin Story

    My Journey with MST MST became a part of my life in the early 1980s, soon after I turned 18 and joined the military. Upon graduating from boot camp, the very next day, I took a bus to tech school. Only a few hours after arriving, I was hungry and ventured out to find food.…