This Jarring Photo Series Captures What PTSD Really Looks Like; According to Buzzfeed

LCpl Mark Lefler — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 23:07:06 -0400

Some of these pics we've seen before, but there are new ones in it.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/emaoconnor/this-is-what-a-veteran-looks-like#.hgWO1g7X3

This Jarring Photo Series Captures What PTSD Really Looks Like

A recent study showed that roughly 22 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day — about one every 65 minutes. Photographer Devin Mitchell shared his five newest photos on the subject of suicide exclus...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 11:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 23:29:53 -0400

I think it just goes to show that we are vulnerable to our pasts and that a lot of people need help understanding how to reach out for help.

Response by Sgt Daniel V. made Mar 18 at 2015 7:45 PM

Sgt Daniel V. — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 19:45:28 -0400

I think the biggest negative impact right now for veterans who are struggling with PTSD is how publicly our lives are lived now, in general. If we start back in WWII you came home you didnt talk about and nobody really asked about it. With our Vietnam vets we saw a drastic rise in how public the war was and the publicity began like a viral epidemic and we saw it with the Desert Storm vets and yet the Military failed to recognize the negative impact of having the wars so publicized all because it helped solidify and justify its actions through mass media. When the internet hit and everyone having a cell phone with a camera it rose to a level that is intrusive and at times debilitating both on and off the battelfield. We began to show the most initmate moments of soldiers lives and how does a 19 year old deal with having to "perform" in front of everyone to have to relive day in and day out the trauma. We have to hide our past to stuff down our emotions about it and live with this trauma eating away at us. Some warriors deal with it pretty well for others its a crippling feat that drains their will and isolates them. There have always been wars and there has always been PTSD but the suicides really started to sky rocket the moment we introduced the video camera onto the battlefield and forced the veterans who fought the battles relive the hell perpetually. Take CNN, Combat Camera, and Fox news and unimbed them from frontline units minimize the coverage of the personal lives of a soldier, begin trauma treatment for the entire unit when they return and STOP putting the soldiers lives at risk by dissecting his lives publicly. The military has a responsiblity here to look into how the publicity of war affects the symptoms of PTSD.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 18 at 2015 11:49 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 23:49:44 -0400

Much work is needed in dismantling the stigma associated with mental health issues. Not just in the military but society as a whole.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 12:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 00:00:03 -0400

What is jarring about the pictures is how they depict how one saw themselves vs how they see themselves now. Proud vs regretful. Strong vs vulnerable. Full of life vs suicidal.

For too many of us, we see ourselves as not living up to our own proud service. We feel the demands of life, the highs and lows, and long for a time when things were simpler.

Few can understand how we feel. Not our loved ones, not a therapist. Only our brothers and sisters we served with can truly know.

Alone with regrets is a terrible place to live.

Thank you for sharing the pictures. They are thought provoking.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Mar 19 at 2015 11:17 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 11:17:54 -0400

Incredibly powerful - and emotional - photo series! We recently shared this on our Project Sanctuary Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ProjectSanctuary) and have received a ton of offline comments from our families.
Thanks for sharing LCpl Mark Lefler.

Response by Cpl Anthony Pearson made Mar 24 at 2015 2:24 PM

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 14:24:42 -0400

LCpl Mark Lefler Incredible. Powerful. Raw.

I love this series of photos. Highly recommend that RP'rs look at this.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 25 at 2015 11:48 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:48:25 -0400

God help us. Never be afraid to reach out a hand to a brother or sister for help or to give it. Never be afraid to show your love.

Semper Fidelis.

Response by SSgt Timothy Test made Mar 25 at 2015 12:12 PM

SSgt Timothy Test — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:12:04 -0400

This is why I am on this group. I have been blessed with the education and skills to help my brothers and sisters and to get us all through this together. I only hope that those who need to will see this and reach out.