Anyone know of resources for an 18B4 separated from the military who needs a support group?

2015-06-28T22:54:22-04:00

His family has contacted me asking for information. I was told he has been unable to get the help he needs from the VA. They shared stories with me about his actions here, it sounds like he came home physically but not mentally.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2015 11:33 PM

2015-06-28T23:33:04-04:00

This unfortunate but I asked a friend of mine that has been dealing with PTSD and combat withdraw issues and he told about this website with information and points of contact for support and assistance.
http://ptsdusa.org/get-help/warrior-groups/
I hope this can help. Its a great thing that you are trying to do.

Response by MSG Robert Mills made Jun 28 at 2015 11:48 PM

2015-06-28T23:48:46-04:00

what is 18B4? seperated?

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jun 29 at 2015 12:13 AM

2015-06-29T00:13:22-04:00

Have him call Vets 4 Warriors. The have a crisis line - it's the one General Mark Graham set up http://www.vets4warriors.com/Contact.htm

Vets4Warriors Contacts

Contact info for general, web, media inquiries as well as employment, and of course.....for peer support.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 29 at 2015 1:27 AM

2015-06-29T01:27:03-04:00

Where is he at? I do pro bono work from time to time

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 29 at 2015 8:48 AM

2015-06-29T08:48:46-04:00

Vet Centers should be able to assist, without regard to discharge status.
I posted the link to the Columbus facility.
http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=420

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jun 29 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-06-29T10:05:03-04:00

Send me his contact info, please.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-06-29T13:22:21-04:00

CPT,
What sort of support group and what town/area does he live in? My wife is a case manager in the veteran services field and should be able to identify resources. PM me if you prefer.

Response by SSG Shane Mason made Jun 29 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-06-29T15:04:14-04:00

CHECK THIS RESOURCE AS A POSSIBILITY http://www.silentwarfoundation.org/

Response by SGM Dennis Gerber made Jun 30 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-06-30T12:35:31-04:00

What state? If he is near Colorado Springs, let me know.

Response by MSgt Bruce Cooper made Jun 30 at 2015 3:40 PM

2015-06-30T15:40:39-04:00

I also had problems with the Va mental health. They wanted to put me inpatient for 3 months, and I refused. Then they said I could do a 3 day a week program, again I refused. Then I was told don't not get help, just so you can get a disability check. I walked out before punching the civilian psych doc. Someone told me about the Vet canter here in Boise, so I contacted them. I have been going to the Vet center for the last 5ish years and love it. Give the Vet center a try and see if it makes a difference for you. My Dr. is a vet not a combat vet, but we still relate. My counselor is a combat vet, he is good and helps a lot.

Response by PO2 Kevin Young made Jun 30 at 2015 11:26 PM

2015-06-30T23:26:31-04:00

What is his location? We have a group in Springfield MO General Pershing's Pathfinders
http://sites.vfom.org/public/projects/untitledpost . http://sites.vfom.org/public/projects/untitledpost We are planning a bicycle trip this fall across the KATY Trail

Response by CPO Ed Ball made Jul 1 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-07-01T09:28:25-04:00

CVSOs http://nacvso.org/find-a-service-officer/ if a vet were to contact their local CVSO office they would be aware of local resources to aid them. As for the claims process in dealing with the diagnosis of PTSD I key on the following:
1. Diagnosis
2. GAF Scores (Global Assessment of Functioning)
3. Stressor - I know VA says combat vets don't need stressors, don't you believe it!! (Note: most vets blackout the most severe events and focus on the one or two that seem to haunt them the most; after working with vets for two or three months, I can put together a chronological listing of events even the ones they forgot about.)

Not every CVSO will go to this extreme, but most will.

Find a Service Officer | NACVSO

To find your local Service Officer, select your state from the list below. You will be redirected to the appropriate page if it is available.

Response by LTC Andrew B Irlam CMAS CertRM(Sy) CAS-MSM TechIOSH made Jul 1 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-07-01T14:32:33-04:00

Talk to your local SFA chapter

Response by SP5 Daniel Roldan made Jul 1 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-07-01T14:40:32-04:00

Save a Warrior is very good from what I've been told. I also tried to get help from VA in Orlando awhile back but only can be seen every two weeks. I went to a church and I'm not very religious but spoke to a decon and he was there for me every day on the phone, house, even when i tried to take my life he was there. I really Hope The Gent that needs help gets into a program and can have trust in someone to talk to. Shootz! I'll even talk to him and see him if he's close by. Sometimes it feels and maybe all we have is each other..

Response by MSgt Jim Craig made Jul 1 at 2015 4:43 PM

2015-07-01T16:43:59-04:00

Where is he located?

Response by CPT Darin Crisp made Jul 1 at 2015 6:02 PM

2015-07-01T18:02:50-04:00

I worked as a deputy with a retired SF MSG. He's def combat vet. I can point you toward him if that would help.

Response by SGT Joseph McBride made Jul 1 at 2015 11:45 PM

2015-07-01T23:45:01-04:00

I have found it very helpful that if you can either start your own group outside of the VA it may help with anxiety. But if you can talk the docs' into building a group, that would also be very helpful. You may also find out after awhile that if the VA mental health will start that group that you can always start your own outside of that. That would be your back up and moral support if you don't feel like talking to someone on the phone or if you are scared to do that. Basically an outside group is what I have found out the way to go. Need any ideas you can look me up on Facebook under veterans sanctuary or send me a message.

Response by SFC Stephan Patterson made Jul 2 at 2015 12:09 AM

2015-07-02T00:09:55-04:00

Thanks for the information, do you know if he has submitted his paperwork to the VA representative in his area? 18B40 would be an SFC in SF, before he transitioned I am assuming he retired or medically retired? Those are different processes, so it would be good to know exactly what he has done prior to getting out, and if he has done his VA paperwork and if it has been accepted at his VA regional office.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 3:03 AM

2015-07-02T03:03:37-04:00

the vet center has helped me alot ..the peer group is an awesome source to talk. .also pgr family helps to keep me home ..mentally

Response by SGT John Dupree made Jul 2 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-07-02T10:54:13-04:00

I can relate on how he is feeling after 10 year active duty army. My train of thought and emotion is not the same anymore and it's so hard dealing with people who never serve and they are always judging you. I'm on the verge of a breakup because her family fears for her daughter life even though she has told them I'm would never do anything to harm her. My B.S meter is very low and I don't play games.

Response by SFC Kevin Hankins made Jul 2 at 2015 10:50 PM

2015-07-02T22:50:19-04:00

Try his local SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-07-03T14:04:07-04:00

Thank you everyone for your responses. Have no doubt that I have passed the information you have given me, your messages, and your personal information to him. My hands are tied though that I cannot pass his information to you. If I could I know each of you would call him. In the meantime I will keep passing on the information and talking to him. SP5 Daniel Roldan you hit the nail on the head regarding the "pride and man" issue.
Keep the suggestions coming.
Thank you.