Soul Repair Center’s San Diego Conference, “Moral Injury and Soul Repair” is on January 29-30, 2015 with featured speaker RADM Margaret Kibben, Chief of Navy Chaplains.

“Moral injury results when soldiers violate their core moral beliefs, and in evaluating their behavior negatively, they feel they no longer live in a reliable, meaningful world and can no longer be regarded as decent human beings. They may feel this even if what they did was warranted and unavoidable. Killing, torturing prisoners, abusing dead bodies, or failing to prevent such acts can elicit moral injury.

The Consequences of violating one’s conscience … can be devastating. Responses include overwhelming depression, guilt, and self-medication through alcohol or drugs. Moral injury can lead veterans to feelings of worthlessness, remorse, and despair; they may feel as if they lost their souls in combat and are no longer who they were. Connecting emotionally to others becomes impossible for those trapped inside the walls of such feelings. When the consequences become overwhelming, the only relief may seem to be to leave this life behind.” From Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury After War, (xv-xvi)

To register or review materials, go to their website.