How do you help someone with severe PTSD get treatment if he doesn't want anything to do with the VA?

MSG Bo Mikel — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 18:13:32 -0500

more to the question....I have tried to get him to talk to someone, I have saved the hotline number in his phone. We have to respond to his house quite a bit! no worries of him hurting him self YET, but someone else...maybe! His PTSD causes him to relive experiences in real time. His family has abandoned him and taken everything he has. He refuses to use the VA because he states "he can't be treated by his enemies" does anyone have any advise of had to deal with this before? I'm LEO by the way

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 16 at 2016 6:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 18:19:01 -0500

Make sure he survives by giving him hope.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 16 at 2016 7:21 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:21:20 -0500

Sounds like getting treatment by a non-government PTSD organization would be best. There are many organizations besides the VA that help veterans address PTSD. They tend to be regional. For example, in Arizona where you are, there is another organization called RallyPoint (no relation to this site) that helps. The local VFW, AL, or DAV can also probably help with recommended service providers.

If he's still not willing to talk to anyone, then I recommend you reach out to those organizations on his behalf and try to get them to come and meet with him on a more casual basis. Don't set it up as a "PTSD session", but just "hey, I've got a friend you should meet." Once he realizes that there are people who are willing to help and that they are not enemies, he may be more open.

http://www.rallypointaz.org/

Rally Point Arizona | Veterans helping veterans and their families

If you need help at any time, for any kind of emergency, call Rally Point Arizona, and talk to a veteran who understands.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 17 at 2016 12:00 AM

LTC John Shaw — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 00:00:18 -0500

Vet Center is another org that is not VA run. You should be able to call Military one source and get PTSD contacts not in VA. Does he trust VFW, DAV, IAVA, wounded warrior or American Legion?

These groups have VSO who may assist, at least get peers to speak with.

Response by SPC David Glines made Jan 17 at 2016 12:11 AM

SPC David Glines — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 00:11:38 -0500

Try and convince this vet to see a doc eather with the VA or on the civilian side if he tries to hurt himself have him placed as inpatient and above all be there as much as possible I have been fighting with my demons for a bit and have had a couple of episodes one was bad my wife was even scared and my 15 yo son witnessed it I was sent to the hospital for a bit but when I came home they were there to help so be there ok

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Jan 17 at 2016 12:18 AM

SSgt Robert Jorgensen — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 00:18:30 -0500

Hate to have to say this but if you are Leo then you should be able to get him committed under emergency court order if for no other reason then public safety. Sucks but not as much if he hurts or kills someone or himself. Been there, did that, not fun being escorted out with handcuffs on.

Response by CPT Christopher Webb made Jan 17 at 2016 12:22 AM

CPT Christopher Webb — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 00:22:01 -0500

He will need professional help from somebody, VA or not. PTSD doesn't heal itself. In fact, what most soldiers do actually makes it worse over time. The treatment is counter intuitive both to those who have PTSD and those who want to help but have no real training in how to help.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jan 17 at 2016 1:10 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 01:10:00 -0500

One thing I would say is while it is commendable you are helping out an individual, there are craploads of people who have not even served, or have served and never deployed who use PTSD as an excuse for acting out. That he refuses help from the VA is a red flag for his claims. Although there is a lot of red tape at times it is completely insane that someone would turn down medical care and a pension if they are a legit veteran. I would suggest sending for his military records via SF 180. If you can get him to fill out the paperwork himself, If not you can still get a redacted FOIA form that will give you info on his service. You may want o contact a VSO in you area and see if they can help.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Jan 17 at 2016 2:04 AM

SSG Michael Scott — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 02:04:16 -0500

Get him to talk to a Certified Peer Support Specialist.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 17 at 2016 2:10 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 02:10:41 -0500

You can't force someone to get aid they don't want. The only way this man will get help is to ask for it or he is deemed a risk to himself or others by a court. Why not YOU try to listen to him....listening can't hurt?

Response by Capt Skip Sponheim made Jan 17 at 2016 10:01 AM

Capt Skip Sponheim — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 10:01:46 -0500

CHAT WITH HIM AND FIND OUT WHY THE VA IS THE "ENEM"? WAS IT A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (ASK FOR A DIFFERENT DOCTOR) OR IS THAT BASED ON WHAT SOMEONE ELDSE SAID (MAKE YOUR OWN OPINIONS BASED ON YOUR FACTS)? I HAVE BEEN WITH THE VA SINCE 1971 AND 95% OF MY EXPERIENCES HAVE ALL BEEN GOOD. LIKE MOST THINGS, THERE ARE ALWAYS A FEW BAD APPLES, BUT IF YOU GET ONE OF THOSE, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS ASK FOR A DIFFERENT ONE, IN WRITING, AND YOU WILL MOST LIKELY GET TRANSFERED. SOCIAL WORKERS AT THE VA CAN HELP HIM TO WORK OUT HIS FAMILY PROBLEMS, IF THAT IS WHAT HE NEEDS.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Jan 17 at 2016 1:40 PM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:40:25 -0500

The 2ND I D commander in 72 walked around with a cowboy style colt 45 strapped to his side.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 2:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:39:54 -0500

contact the WWP. they just set up a few inpatient facilities in university hospitals. if you need more info let me know, a friend of mine works with WWP and I can get more specific info if you need it

Response by SGT John Johnson made Jan 18 at 2016 7:18 PM

SGT John Johnson — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 19:18:27 -0500

There are a lot of different groups that are not part of the VA system, and they are working with veterans that don't want to be single out. I look at the treat I have received from the VA for PTSD, and I have branched off to start other peer to peer type groups that are outside the traditional VA process. There are a lot of great programs to look into, just make sure that you don't try to do it alone.

Response by CPL Thomas Visser made Jan 28 at 2016 1:46 PM

CPL Thomas Visser — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:46:37 -0500

The individual could always go to the Vet Center. The Vet Center was created for combat veterans from Vietnam who had a serious distrust of the VA and government. The Vet Center and its counsellors operate independently from VA and often times the counsellors are combat veterans themselves. The Vet Center does not share information with the VA. Should the veteran wish for VA to receive records from the Vet Center he or she must complete a release (VA Form 21-4142).