How many of you realize that MST causes future homelessness? (M.S.T. stands for Military Sexual Trauma.)

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sat, 16 May 2015 15:35:30 -0400

1 in 5 women and 1 in 500 men are reported to have experienced some form of MST while in active military service.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 16 at 2015 3:39 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 16 May 2015 15:39:40 -0400

MST? You will have to excuse me for not being current Chaplain, Is that the new name for PTSD.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made May 16 at 2015 3:48 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sat, 16 May 2015 15:48:20 -0400

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in 2004 publicly expressed concern regarding the number of sexual assault cases in the military. He specified that in the combat theaters of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait, more than 100 sexual assaults were reported over an 18-month period. ( Mullen & O'Connor, 2011 ).

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made May 19 at 2015 1:23 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Tue, 19 May 2015 13:23:32 -0400

By the very nature of MST it is a devastating downward slope. It is a crime generally committed in private, no witnesses. Unlike a battlefield induced PTSD, there is no way to document time, place, witnesses present (often victims don't know their attackers) so getting any compensation and help is tremendously difficult. Depression, homelessness, hopelessness, SI, MST/PTSD and overwhelming grief and the shortage of mental health providers able to work with these survivors means only a small percentage is even offered any help. Although more education is being touted, I continue to hear of reluctance to go to command or get medical help. When I began my career, there was no attention to MST and no knowledge of rape kits and exams. As a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in the civilian sector long after I left the military, I experienced daily triggers and the only thing in my cranium by the time I finally quit was sexual assault of all ages and sexes. The exam kit is meticulous but because of the shortage in testing centers we are still about 20 years behind in even testing the rape kits. It is difficult to feel positive with the state this problem is in. Sorry about the wordiness.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made May 19 at 2015 1:54 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Tue, 19 May 2015 13:54:20 -0400

MAJ Patterson:

I welcome your feedback and I bring this topic up to the extensive research I have done on this subject.

SMT is a silent wound that disrupts a person's relationship model, and creates many psychological problems to the episodic memory that replays the episode over and over in your head.

I am an Army Chaplain and if anyone needs to talk or guidance in box me. For all of you veterans that have had MST occurrence go to the VA and seek the professional counseling you need.