The Croatian veterans of the Homeland War are rightly honored as the young state’s heroes and founders, having secured the nation’s defense in the early 1990s. However, many remain trapped in their past. The combination of post-traumatic stress and the resulting reality of unmet expectations has led to a heartbreaking statistic: more than 3,000 veteran suicides to date.
To help this vulnerable group, HOPE FOR LIFE assisted in the production of STORM OF THE SOUL, a powerful drama about three soldiers who ultimately find hope and peace in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The film was repeatedly aired during prime time on national television, reaching a wide audience across the country.
Additionally, Vlado seized an opportunity to engage the academic community by speaking at the 2nd Croatian Congress on Psychosomatic Medicine & Psychotherapy. His presentation, titled ‘Biblical Spirituality as the Foundation for Post-Traumatic Recovery After Crises,’ demonstrated to the academic community that Christ-centered, specifically cross-centered, counseling could be more effective than secular therapy approaches. Much to his surprise, his presentation was exceptionally well-received. This positive reception encouraged Vlado to continue occasionally supporting the veteran community by participating in their conferences.
