About

On this page;
MHC Overview
Founder's Bio
CS/OSI/PTSD Overview
Countering CS/OSI/PTSD

"As a police officer of almost 13 years, I have seen and been privy to some horrific scenes.  Up until about two years ago, our agency provided no critical incident de-briefings and it was ultimately up to individual officers to seek out support or mental health counselling.

Since high school, I have also suffered from insomnia which I never sought treatment for.  I self medicated with over the counter sleep aids or with alcohol to help me sleep.  I was in need of something to get myself healthier and better focused.  This program couldn't have come to me at a better time.  I was the supervisor of a child abuse case that had resulted in the death of a 21-month-old boy and was having problems sleeping for months after.  I had tried all the usual remedies to no avail.  After being selected to the field test for the MBV Program, I can tell you my experience was life changing.  Since using the MBV Program, my insomnia has greatly diminished, my use of sleep aids and alcohol has been replaced with these techniques.

It took approximately six weeks to feel completely comfortable with the techniques and to use them as I needed to appropriately.  It's a system that is easily learned, but it is training - you must put in the work to get the results back!  I would adamantly recommend this program to any of my fellow officers, all First Responders and to members of our Armed Forces.  It truly has been an effective system for me and I can't find one single reason not to recommend it.  For both my personal and professional well being I have not found a more comprehensive system to clear my head and make things easier to deal with."  Andrew Hadley, US Police Officer, Colorado

MHC Overview

Industry Expectations; 1. Conduct successful operations using well trained operatives who perform well in high stress environments, 2.  To provide support to personnel leading to reduction of negative effects of working in high stress environments. MHC helps security organizations comply with these expectations.

MHC has been seeking out "Pareto Principle" techniques that make the most difference to military, first responders and other security professionals.

The 'military model' of resiliency has been based on four core elements; goal setting, breathing techniques, visualization and self talk.  Taking these elements further, the programming of MHC reinforces and expands these essentials.

Established in Ontario, Canada in 2009, MHC is the creation of Angela C. Benedict; educator, program developer, recovery specialist and expert on overcoming PTSD/CPTSD.

After spending several years working with survivors of abuse and refining her practice, Angela began working with military and law enforcement personnel delivering her unique perspectives and presentation on a number of self development issues such as dealing with anger, fear, finding creative solutions to ongoing problems and helping people level up.

MHC's training platform really began with the MBV Program; Meditations, Breathing Techniques and Visualizations which was based on US Military Combat Stress requirements as outlined in the United States Marine Corps and US Army Field Manuals on Combat Stress.

According to these field manuals as well as in civilian literature, there are three primary dial-down strategies personnel must have to stay level and effective - meditations, breathing techniques and visualizations - MBV.  When Marines were asked if they were being trained in these three skills, they said no, in fact, they replied with - "We have a field manual on Combat Stress?"  There was definitely a gap between expectations and training realities.  Angela created the MBV Program as a bridging component to fill that gap.

This program was designed for deployed military personnel who were resistant to ask for help with their operational stress, who may not have had easy access to professional psych services while in the field, who wanted a program to use for themselves, by themselves that was discrete and got results quickly.

The MBV Program has been tested in the only joint US/Canadian stress study to be conducted and has proven this program can save careers, marriages and lives. 

From the MBV Program came TTSCT, Tactical Trauma Self Care Training. This training platform created by MHC has been piloted in Canada in 2010, the United Kingdom in 2014 and the United States in 2015.

This training is pre-emptive, proactive training delivering new perspectives and preventative measures to mitigate suicide and high levels of Combat and Operational Stress Reaction.

For generations we have been told that Combat Stress is part of war and there is nothing we can do about falling victim to it.  Today we know that we can not only fight against the symptoms of Combat Stress - we can win.

Mental health experts have led the public to believe that they, as experts in the field, are essential, as are the drug and behaviour modification therapies they subscribe to.  Simple-to-use practices that can be done independently by personnel disrupt the entire mental health industry.  This disruption is needed and timely as many 'lay people' are stepping out as the real experts and pathmasters who have found their best practices in finding "through and out." 

MHC isn't only interested in creating awesome programming to take on Combat Stress and win.  That's a priority but going beyond the norm is where is gets really juicy.  The same techniques that reduce high level anxiety, also create the conditions needed for increased productivity, increased well being and health levels, and increased emotional intelligence resulting in an increase in intuitive hits that you can count on - another critical factor to mission success; battlefield intuition. Decreased anxiety response, improved intuition and increased operational effectiveness – in one process.

MHC Milestones

TTC – MHC’s founder was the first to coin the term Tactical Trauma Counselling, identifying the need to develop a coaching/counselling process that could be as comfortable as possible and effective for personnel to get from where they were to where they needed to be.  This process is available in person with Angela and via skype worldwide.  For more information connect here.

"I am no longer suicidal because of you." C.M., US Army

MBV - Based on recommendations from the US Marine Corps field manual on Combat Stress, the MBV Program was tested in the only Joint Can/US police stress study with 112 officers from both countries.  The MBV Program is a self-contained, deployment-ready resource for personnel to level up and dial down, learning simple exercises they can use immediately. Tested. Proven. See the testimonial page.

Community Event - "A Walk for the Troops" In 2010, MHC's Founder, Angela Benedict, created and managed all aspects of a multiple day, 200 km walk to raise awareness about Combat Stress from Canadian Forces Base Trenton through Toronto and ending at CFB Borden.

Watch Part One and Part Two here on YouTube with SITREPS from all days of the walk.

TTSCT - Tactical Trauma Self Care Training.  MHC developed and piloted in three countries (CAN/US/UK) a unique in-class program that has received excellent reviews from attendees. 

"The course was very unique and taught a holistic approach to stress management. This is the right course to teach to prepare personnel to learn to effectively deal with cumulative and acute stress."  Robert D. Jenkins, Maj.  MI, NJARNG, US Military

Founder Bio

Founder Bio   Angela C. Benedict

"You will be hard pressed to find someone as passionate and determined as Angela Benedict when it comes to helping veterans and serving members of the military, first responder and the law enforcement community. She has selflessly taken on the responsibility to provide enhanced training and awareness of operational stress issues, and the methods to mitigate the effects of stress, while helping warriors further develop their skills of self awareness and resilience. For those who are familiar with programs such as the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR, Canadian Army) and who wish to continue with their training in a more discreet or personalized manner, Angela's Weapons Package is a very useful resource.  Additionally, for those who are continuing to work in high stress environments and who wish to conduct a deep dive on the common approaches to mental health training programs that are out there, Angela's training program is a good resource to consider. Through her passion and commitment to mindfulness training and awareness programs, Angela will provide a unique and personal touch that will assist any professional involved in the skill at arms, law enforcement or emergency response.  I recommend checking out her programs and engaging Angela."                                                                           LCol. Nick Grimshaw (Ret) Canadian Forces

Angela is an author, advocate and trainer, blending two decades of training experience with her specialist knowledge of trauma and recovery. She holds degrees in Education and History, and is an advocate for security personnel well-being across sectors. Angela’s specialized knowledge includes; anxiety, recovery processes, mindfulness, empowerment and transitioning and she has a unique way of making personnel feel safe and confident in her ability to move them out of ‘bad places’ into clarity and healing.

As a performance enhancement specialist, Angela assists in teaching mental mastery which is absolutely crucial to fine-tune the skills that allow personnel to perform successfully, whether it be in preparation of a combat deployment, or in their personal lives.

CS/OSI/PTSD overview (Combat Stress, Operational Stress Injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Reaction)

Combat Stress is as old as war is.

Yes, Combat Stress is an ancient phenomenon. But today, we know more about how our minds, brains and bodies work than we ever have.  And by leveraging this knowledge we can overcome, nay crush, even this ancient soldier’s foe.

Combat Stress has been called many things; Battle Fatigue, Operational Stress Injury, Shell Shock, Soldier's Heart during the US Civil War...and it will likely receive new names in the future.  Differences in terminology exist between countries, but it is the same experience.

Combat Stress has three aspects; Traumatic Stress, Operational Stress and Non-Operational Stress. PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or Reaction as it is sometimes called fits within the Combat Stress Spectrum although there is an overlap of symptoms and the list of symptoms can be long and often misleading.

There are many books and training manuals on Combat Stress and what it is.  MHC is focused on what to do about it.  HOW you overcome this experience and even grow and become stronger on the other side of it.

Let’s take the most often talked about label in this experience as an example, PTSD.

PTSD - This too, is training

When people are told they ‘have’ PTSD, often an inner collapse begins to occur as that person may immediately start to think – “My life is over.  I’m f*cked.  People die from this.  I know people who have.  I’m done.”  This is exactly what not to do.

Instead, try to think about PTSD in terms of “this too is training.”

PTSD is a four-letter acronym that ‘lives’ in the military world.  It lives outside that world as well, but let’s keep this on point for the moment as a 'soldier’s' challenge.  That four-letter acronym lives with many other three and four-letter acronyms that are really tough.  Take SERE training as an example.  There are many, many others.  That’s the point.

The MINDSET that is required to get through SERE is exactly the same mindset that must be applied to PTSD.  Both of these four-letter acronyms are tough and therefore, using that superpower of MINDSET that many personnel develop, because that’s what gets you through and out of really hard training, is the same superpower needed to get through PTSD and other aspects of Combat Stress.

PTSD is a really 'steep hill' that has to be climbed.  Now imagine that you have 'a real prick' of an instructor whose job it is to do everything he can think of to keep you from getting up that hill.  No really, he's a gem.  And, he has access to every part of your life.  He can mess with anything about you; physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually and financially – all of it, in any combination, at any time.  He is both creative and committed.  Not good.  You have to get to the top of the hill regardless of what he does to you.

That’s a good summary of what PTSD is like.  In order to get through and out, you have to get your thinking right.

Back to SERE and other training examples...you already know that when engaged in training courses such as this, or any other hard thing, there is 'You' before the hard thing, 'You' during the hard thing, and there will be 'You' after the hard thing.  Some people refer to this as traumatic growth. 

There is no way to not be changed by these challenges, but that's ok.  Because these hard things, during training cycles or in life generally, force us to level up.  It's the analogy of the steep hill.  In order to get up the hill, you have to let go of what will no longer serve you and you have to level up in some way in order to reach the top.

Mindset is critical to maintaining the will to get up the hill.  And you know, because you've done it many times with all the other hard things, that there will be a payoff at the top of that miserable hill.  You have become a better version of you.

PTSD is a very steep hill and so much leveling up will be required.  Good.  Imagine how much smarter, stronger, more capable you'll be once you get to the top.

This too is 'training.'

Understanding this concept is important whether you are a soldier, airman, police officer, firefighter, contractor...

Many people think PTSD is their problem.  When you ask them, what’s going on with you, what’s the problem?  They say, I have PTSD.  That’s not the problem.

That’s a label, a category, a name.  It’s a way to draw a perimeter around an experience so we can call it something.  It’s not the problem.  And you can’t let it be.

You have to avoid the inner collapse.  PTSD is just another four-letter acronym that lives in our world.  It is essential that you manage it, and NOT have it manage you.  To do that you must keep the power dynamic in the right place – YOU over it.

In order to manage it, break it down and keep it simple.  What is the problem that you are having the greatest difficulty with right now?  That may be different from what was most difficult two weeks ago and it may change again a month from now.  This can be a fluid situation and as you work your way through and out, symptoms (indicators that are communicating important information to you) feedback from others etc.  will help you narrow down what is the problem now, and then now, and then now, as you work through, resolve, and then meet the next problem.  This is management and this is how you find your way through and out.

You have the power in this situation.  You keep your power by using the superpower of mindset, breaking your situations down and identifying the current problem, setting up a strategy to meet and overcome that problem then moving on to the next until you are out.

Keep the power dynamic where it needs to be – YOU over it.

Part of managing this challenge is learning about what hacks, techniques and strategies you can use to overcome it.  Learn these before you need them.  Encourage your teams to learn them BEFORE they need this information.

MHC training works for those in the PTSD experience, (you're on the hill) and for those who haven't seen the hill on the horizon yet but know they could be called up for this 'training' course at any time.  Better to know, before you need to know.

The time to have the map is before you go into the woods.

Countering CS/OSI/PTSD

Resiliency programming taught well and techniques that have been integrated into daily practice by an agency's individuals is an insurance policy.  

Wellness levels maintained mean less down time, sick time, infighting, unproductivity at work, toxic workplace behaviour etc.  All agencies therefore, have a vested interest to invest in results-driven programs.  

Anxiety, PTSD and CPTSD in the general population and Combat Stress in all of its manifestations, not only lead to high suicide rates but to divorce and domestic violence, inability to work, alcoholism and substance abuse, ruined relationships with kids, missed promotions...

Self Awareness >Self Discipline > Self Regulation > Self Actualization

Many current resiliency-based programs are focused on awareness and measurement of external conditions, for example, sleep patterns including light, temperature and restless movement during sleep cycles.  Having an assessment monitor strapped to your body measuring your sleep patterns, provides interesting data points regarding the existing conditions and your response to those conditions.  It didn't fix the broken sleep problem.

The MBV Program has been shown to actually improve quality of sleep. 

This level of problem solving is the basis for MHC programming and as evidenced in the statistics of the field study proving the effectiveness of the MBV Program.

Our minds, brains and bodies are interrelated.  Our physiology affects our neurology. Our emotional state effects both our physiology and neurology. To get to where the deep trauma we've experienced is kept we have to get into the deepest parts of our subconscious mind. This can be done with MBV techniques. In fact, it is the only way.

Military training provides the framework that the MBV Program utilizes successfully.  Relaxation, breathing techniques, visualization and directed self talk.  This creates a feeling of peace that resets the body/brain/mind and releases deep tension, anxiety, depression and in the process, with saturation leads to profound results across domains; physical, mental, emotional, financial, social.

This same process not only eradicates serious imbalances and traumatic symptoms, it empowers us.

To learn more and to get your copy of the MBV Program, go to the Resources page.