SeaWaves

SeaWaves 🌊 SEA WAVES is a national nonprofit supporting service members, veterans, and families with eating disorders & suicide prevention.

We provide education, advocacy, and resources to fill the gap in military mental health. 🌊

Need a light; Be a light.

💌 Letters from the LighthouseHealing often begins with a moment of honesty.Not when everything is fixed.Not when all the...
06/06/2026

💌 Letters from the Lighthouse

Healing often begins with a moment of honesty.

Not when everything is fixed.
Not when all the answers are clear.
But when someone finally allows themselves to acknowledge that they cannot keep carrying the struggle alone.

For many service members and veterans, asking for help can feel harder than enduring the pain. Military culture teaches resilience, perseverance, and self-sacrifice—but healing requires courage, too.

This powerful reflection from Dr. Theresa Larson, featured in Battle Scars & Body Wars by Leah Stiles, reminds us that seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is often the first step toward reclaiming your life.

No one should have to fight their battles in silence.

If this message resonates with you, we encourage you to pick up a copy of Battle Scars & Body Wars on Amazon and help us shine a light on the hidden realities of eating disorders in the military community.

Need a light; Be a light. 🌊

How often do we assume that someone is okay simply because they're performing well?One of the most important lessons fro...
06/05/2026

How often do we assume that someone is okay simply because they're performing well?

One of the most important lessons from MEDAL™ (Military Eating Disorder Awareness & Literacy) is this:

High performance does not equal wellness.

Eating disorders are often hidden in plain sight, especially in military environments where discipline, resilience, and achievement are highly valued. Many service members continue to lead, excel, and meet expectations while silently struggling.

MEDAL was developed by SEA WAVES to help military leaders, providers, veterans, families, and communities better understand:

• How military culture can unintentionally contribute to disordered eating

• Early warning signs that are often overlooked

• The impact eating disorders have on health, readiness, and performance

• How awareness and early intervention can change outcomes

Awareness is prevention.
Conversation is intervention.
Connection is healing.

💜 Learn more at https://sea-waves.org/medal. Share more.



Learn more. Share more.

06/04/2026

“I struggled silently for years. Nobody knew.”

This is the reality for far too many service members—fighting invisible battles alone.

🎙️ In this powerful video, Leah shares her journey through disordered eating, silence, and the deep need for understanding in the military community.

🎧 Take a moment to listen.

Then ask yourself: Who in your circle might be silently struggling too?

📣 Let’s end the stigma. Start the conversation. Save a life.

🔁 Share this post.
🗨️ Tag a battle buddy.
📌 Follow for more truth, tools, and support.

Many veterans carry wounds that can't be seen on the outside.PTSD is often misunderstood. It isn't weakness, and it does...
06/03/2026

Many veterans carry wounds that can't be seen on the outside.

PTSD is often misunderstood. It isn't weakness, and it doesn't always look the way movies or media portray it.

For many veterans and women veterans, PTSD can show up in everyday ways—difficulty sleeping, feeling constantly on guard, withdrawing from others, emotional numbness, or simply trying to make it through the day.

These struggles are real, even when they're invisible.

This PTSD Awareness Month, let's choose understanding over assumptions, compassion over judgment, and connection over isolation.

When people feel seen, supported, and safe enough to talk about what they're carrying, healing becomes possible.

At SEA WAVES, we believe no one should have to navigate these invisible wounds alone.

💜 Healing begins when we feel seen.

Need a light; Be a light. 🌊

🌊 Meet Our Wave Maker: Charlotte ArrubioBehind every graphic, post, video, and campaign is a mission and helping bring t...
06/03/2026

🌊 Meet Our Wave Maker: Charlotte Arrubio

Behind every graphic, post, video, and campaign is a mission and helping bring that mission to life is Charlotte Arrubio, SEA WAVES' Creative Director.

Through storytelling, content creation, photography, and visual design, Charlotte helps transform awareness into action. Her work supports SEA WAVES' efforts to educate, advocate, and shine a light on eating disorders, mental health, and the unique challenges facing military and veteran communities.

Passionate about learning, growth, and creative problem-solving, Charlotte believes that every challenge presents an opportunity to improve, innovate, and make a meaningful impact.

We're grateful for the creativity, dedication, and heart she brings to our team every day.

Thank you, Charlotte, for helping us amplify voices, tell important stories, and advance our mission.

Need a light; Be a light. 🌊

Stigma is not harmless. It delays diagnosis. It limits access to care. It silences people who are struggling. And it cos...
06/02/2026

Stigma is not harmless. It delays diagnosis. It limits access to care. It silences people who are struggling. And it costs lives. That is why many eating disorders nonprofit organizations in the country are coming together.

This World Eating Disorders Action Day, we demand something better:

Stop Stigma. Start Care. Together.

We are each proud members of CEDO (Coalition of Eating Disorders Organizations), a collective of mission-driven organizations and allies working to increase awareness, advocate for equitable access to care, challenge harmful systems, and strengthen support for people affected by eating disorders and disordered eating.

We believe:
• People over profits
• Healing through connection
• Weight-inclusive and affirming care
• Trauma-informed support
• Equity, dignity, and belonging for all people

Real change happens when organizations move from working beside each other to working together.

Today, we stand united in action, advocacy, and hope.

World Eating Disorders Action Day Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance Renewed Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders Mid-Atlantic Collective for Eating Disorders ANAD - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians One Hope Project MEDA (Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association) Project HEAL Rock Recovery Body Equity Alliance National Alliance for Eating Disorders

Don't miss what's happening at SEA WAVES this month! 🌊Be the first to hear about upcoming events, new resources, communi...
06/01/2026

Don't miss what's happening at SEA WAVES this month! 🌊

Be the first to hear about upcoming events, new resources, community initiatives, special announcements, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved in our mission.

Our monthly newsletter is the best way to stay connected and informed about the work we're doing to support service members, veterans, and military families impacted by eating disorders and mental health challenges.

Whether you're a supporter, advocate, provider, veteran, family member, or community partner, we'd love to keep you in the loop.

📬 Subscribe today by scanning the QR code or visiting:
seawaves.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Need a light; Be a light. 🌊

Connection matters. 💙As part of our Need a Sister; Be a Sister buddy check movement, we’re encouraging women veterans to...
06/01/2026

Connection matters. 💙

As part of our Need a Sister; Be a Sister buddy check movement, we’re encouraging women veterans to reach out, reconnect, and remind one another that no one has to navigate life’s challenges alone.

That’s why SEA WAVES is honored to participate in the Statewide Florida Women Veterans Summit, hosted by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Women’s Veterans Advisory Council, on June 5–6, 2026, at The Westin Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.

We’ll be there building connections, encouraging buddy checks, and sharing self-care items and SEA WAVES swag while supplies last.

If you’re there, stop by our booth and say hello. Let us know if your light is shining bright or feeling a little dim. We’re here to connect, support, and remind each other that no one has to walk alone. 💙

Because connection is prevention.

Need a Light; Be a Light. 🌊
Need a Sister; Be a Sister. 💜

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month and National Military Appreciation Month, we want to share something incre...
05/31/2026

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month and National Military Appreciation Month, we want to share something incredibly special.

This is open letter written by an active-duty Navy Sailor who courageously chose to share her experience navigating military culture, mental health, and an eating disorder.

This letter offers something powerful: perspective.

It sheds light on how weight standards, fitness culture, food access, stress, and stigma can impact service members who are struggling in silence. It is a call for greater understanding, education, and compassion so that leaders are better equipped to recognize warning signs and support those in their care.

One passage that particularly stood out to us:

“Mental illness is isolating, and knowing that other people are willing to learn helps it feel less lonely.”

Because behind every uniform is a human being.

Because readiness includes mental health.

And because eating disorder prevention is su***de prevention.

Read the full letter here:
https://www.sea-waves.org/resources/an-open-letter-to-military-leadership-what-one-sailor-wishes-you-knew-about-mental-health-and-eating-disorders

If you are struggling, SEA WAVES is here to help:
https://www.sea-waves.org/contact-us

Interested in bringing eating disorder awareness and prevention training to your command or organization?
Learn more about MEDAL™:
https://www.sea-waves.org/medal

Need a Light; Be a Light.

🎉 WOMEN VETERANS, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! 💙Put on your favorite cozy pajamas, grab a veteran sister, and join us for an eve...
05/29/2026

🎉 WOMEN VETERANS, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! 💙

Put on your favorite cozy pajamas, grab a veteran sister, and join us for an evening of connection, self-care, laughter, and community as we celebrate together!

Join SeaWaves and Totally Psyched for:
✨ Need a Sister; Be a Sister ✨
🎵 80s Pajama Pizza Party! 🎵
🗓 Thursday, June 11
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Totally Psyched, Winter Garden, FL
Your evening includes:
🍕 Pizza and snacks
🕯️ Make your own candle
🌿 Create your own rollerball essential oil blend
🧂 Salt room access
🎁 Free giveaways
💙 Connection with fellow women veterans

This event is part of the nationwide Need a Light; Be a Light movement and our Need a Sister; Be a Sister buddy check campaign, encouraging women veterans across the country to reconnect, check in, and remind each other that no one has to carry life’s challenges alone.

Come with a veteran sister or come by yourself. Either way, you’ll leave with new connections, a few laughs, and a few new sisters!
A huge thank you to Totally Psyched for hosting us and creating a space where mental health, wellness, and community come together in such a welcoming way.

⚠️ Space is limited to the first 25 women veterans who register. Event is completely FREE!
Register Here: https://givebutter.com/need-a-sister-be-a-sister-80s...

Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up for each other.
Need a Light; Be a Light. 💙
Need a Sister; Be a Sister. 💙

Address

Winter Garden, TX
34787

Telephone

+19036892837

Website

https://givebutter.com/bealight77, https://linktr.ee/SEAWAVESORG

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