Posted on Dec 19, 2015
What are the reasons that Service Members with PTSD, TBI, or Severely Disabled will not try new services to get help?
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What are the reasons that Service Members with PTSD, TBI, or Severely Disabled will not try new services to get help?
I have a number of questions within this post that I would like to get everyone's input on from a professional standpoint. I also have some very important information for veterans and service members that need help and want to keep it anonymous!
As you know I lost a Father-in-Law (Vietnam Veteran diagnoised with PTSD) to Suicide on Tuesday, 8 December 2015 and he was buried on 16 December 2015 in Killeen, TX with full military honors! It is importand to me and the RallyPoint Members that are working with me and Virtual World Solutions to help stop this waive of suicides due to PTSD, TBI, and many other factors affecting our service members (including MST).
Please check the survey box - need the input please!
RP Memebers there are so many new services out there today for individuals that are suffering from PTSD, TBI, and that are Severely Disabled - how do we get them to feel comfortable about any one service or methodology?
Here is a nice evening program every Sunday called: "Warrior for Life" (WFL) Group Suport. This is now a part of Victory for Veterans Foundation. We stay connected (7) days a week on SKYPE with our group members. We welcome Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, Military Family Members, and Civilians that are suffering from PTSD, TBI, MST, and other disabilities to join us on Sunday evenings.
Please connect with me first on SKYPE at: mikel.burroughs
Have a short BIO about yourself ready to go and then I'll add you to the group with a Welcoming Message. You can get to know others via text first and then join us on Sunday evenings. If you want to join the Video Conference just to observe, you can turn off video and audio and just observe until you feel comfortable with the group. All of our members are members of RallyPoint and we've been meeting now going on two (2) years now.
We have members from all over the world and United States, so come join us for this one hour of group support each week.
Here is how you can join this Sunday to just listen in if you want to or any Sunday in the future:
Warrior for Life Group Support Sunday night at 8:00 PM EST (7:00 PM CST) 6:00 PM MST & 5:00 PM PST!
COL (R) Mikel Burroughs is inviting you to a RingCentral meeting.
Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/ [login to see]
Or iPhone one-tap:
+ [login to see] ,, [login to see] #
Or Telephone:
Dial: + [login to see]
Meeting ID: [login to see]
International numbers available: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/teleconference
SGT Michael Thorin has provided some directions for loading Ring Central.
https://youtu.be/M8D_8iSNQ7k
I have a number of questions within this post that I would like to get everyone's input on from a professional standpoint. I also have some very important information for veterans and service members that need help and want to keep it anonymous!
As you know I lost a Father-in-Law (Vietnam Veteran diagnoised with PTSD) to Suicide on Tuesday, 8 December 2015 and he was buried on 16 December 2015 in Killeen, TX with full military honors! It is importand to me and the RallyPoint Members that are working with me and Virtual World Solutions to help stop this waive of suicides due to PTSD, TBI, and many other factors affecting our service members (including MST).
Please check the survey box - need the input please!
RP Memebers there are so many new services out there today for individuals that are suffering from PTSD, TBI, and that are Severely Disabled - how do we get them to feel comfortable about any one service or methodology?
Here is a nice evening program every Sunday called: "Warrior for Life" (WFL) Group Suport. This is now a part of Victory for Veterans Foundation. We stay connected (7) days a week on SKYPE with our group members. We welcome Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, Military Family Members, and Civilians that are suffering from PTSD, TBI, MST, and other disabilities to join us on Sunday evenings.
Please connect with me first on SKYPE at: mikel.burroughs
Have a short BIO about yourself ready to go and then I'll add you to the group with a Welcoming Message. You can get to know others via text first and then join us on Sunday evenings. If you want to join the Video Conference just to observe, you can turn off video and audio and just observe until you feel comfortable with the group. All of our members are members of RallyPoint and we've been meeting now going on two (2) years now.
We have members from all over the world and United States, so come join us for this one hour of group support each week.
Here is how you can join this Sunday to just listen in if you want to or any Sunday in the future:
Warrior for Life Group Support Sunday night at 8:00 PM EST (7:00 PM CST) 6:00 PM MST & 5:00 PM PST!
COL (R) Mikel Burroughs is inviting you to a RingCentral meeting.
Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/ [login to see]
Or iPhone one-tap:
+ [login to see] ,, [login to see] #
Or Telephone:
Dial: + [login to see]
Meeting ID: [login to see]
International numbers available: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/teleconference
SGT Michael Thorin has provided some directions for loading Ring Central.
https://youtu.be/M8D_8iSNQ7k
PTSD
TBI
Victory for Veterans (VFV)
Support
Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 98
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Fear, Fear, Fear, and more Fear. I HATED with a RENEWED passion having to explain to another doctor what happened, being forced to relieve it, begin treatment, build trust in that Doctor, just to find him or her PCS'sing. It's infuriating to no end, and no one wants to keep bringing it up unless you just want to be heard and "like" hearing how "cool" you were while deployed. If there was a sure fied way to drop the memories and triggers, I might consider it, but I don't think I'd do it. All my suffering was for a reason. God said so, and he expects me to figure it out no matter how hard it may be. So if Jesus can carry a cross knowing he's going to do this for my sins, I can carry my burden and find ways to help others lessen theirs. On a second note, the BEST therapy I ever had was immersion therapy. Hands down anger through the roof, feelings all over the place, folks ready to fight each other, but as it went on, you could see the light bulbs turning on, and folks beginning to accept what was being taught, and making strides to learn. Alas the Army thought it was too long, and all of us were removed at the 45 day mark. The worst BAR NONE was electrotherapy. Placing two leads on your ear lobes and having a current run through your head, was funny, but unless you just like 20 minutes of being a veggie, best to pass on that one. My therapy now is talking with my peers and getting their advice on coping skills. I find they are some of the best to talk to and have some great ideas that worked for them, and I don't have to explain myself ever. COL you even reached out to me. While I was skeptical of the site when I visited it, I know the man who told me to go there and look was of outstanding character. There needs to be more like you, and there are, they're just quiet.
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SSgt James Tadlock
I don't know of anybody who would seek help with this on their own accord. SSG Swan said everything that could be said. BTW I knew a guy with the name Tom Swan from Illinois. He was a firecracker. He could run like the wind blows. He got the necessary parts and built his own tape recorder/player at the hobby shop. His job was working on the electronic components for the tail guns for B-52's (Fire Control).
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SPC Todd Rhoades
SSG Warren Swan I have not seen combat, though I have left home with the fear of not returning. I have seen horrible things in both training and the civilian world, including my own family.
I believe you are on the right track with your thoughts on immersion therapy. The human mind has great ability to suppress things while we are conscious and attempts to heal while we are sleeping, thus nightmares. I have found also that while awake and with people who can "relate" , no one can truly understand how you feel, they are not you, and we all "feel" differently, if you dig deep and release these emotions, you can then start to deal with them.
As far as God wanting you to suffer, that is as far from true as any statement ever made. It is simply a test, leading to a revalation in His path for you. I am not going to get on a stump and start thumping a Bible here, not my way. All the scripture in the Book, does no good, if it's not interpreted right. What I will do is say, keep fighting, find a brother that can relate, there are many here, and always, always remember this: It is a strong man that can admit his shortcomings and ask for help, we are not meant to walk this life alone.
As I stated before, I can't understand, but I can relate. And I am here.
Keep humpin, home is only a couple clics away, reach out and I will help you carry the load.
You are loved, both by your brothers and your Lord.
I believe you are on the right track with your thoughts on immersion therapy. The human mind has great ability to suppress things while we are conscious and attempts to heal while we are sleeping, thus nightmares. I have found also that while awake and with people who can "relate" , no one can truly understand how you feel, they are not you, and we all "feel" differently, if you dig deep and release these emotions, you can then start to deal with them.
As far as God wanting you to suffer, that is as far from true as any statement ever made. It is simply a test, leading to a revalation in His path for you. I am not going to get on a stump and start thumping a Bible here, not my way. All the scripture in the Book, does no good, if it's not interpreted right. What I will do is say, keep fighting, find a brother that can relate, there are many here, and always, always remember this: It is a strong man that can admit his shortcomings and ask for help, we are not meant to walk this life alone.
As I stated before, I can't understand, but I can relate. And I am here.
Keep humpin, home is only a couple clics away, reach out and I will help you carry the load.
You are loved, both by your brothers and your Lord.
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I think that people are afraid of being labeled (worse than they already are), having their rights to handle their own finances or their right to own a gun taken from them by some bureaucrat. Our government (all of them) has repeatedly lied (and continue to do so) to us, unless they are seeking votes. I am sure there are many other factors, but in the end, it comes down to trust...there is no trust in our elected public officials.
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PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM
Sgt Martin Querin - What state are you in?? I have never been asked that question. and only a fool would answer in the affirmative.
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Sgt Martin Querin
PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM - LOL, you should be able to guess...California. No more crazy than asking if you've been convicted of a felony, or under a constraint order, and I have FFL friends that say they have had people answer those questions in the affirmative, which of course results in immediate disqualification.
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PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM
Sgt Martin Querin - Time for you tomove OUT of the Kommunist Stake of Kalofornia and back in to the Free States of America. The liberal Idiots under Moonbeam Brown have really screwed that state into the ground. It used to be a nice place when everyone was just high as a kite.
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Oftentimes, it is the psychiatric disability itself, that tells the service member that they don't need the help....and/or want it.
In my case, it's a matter of confidentiality. I don't trust most people in the world; with my story.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
In my case, it's a matter of confidentiality. I don't trust most people in the world; with my story.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Casey Francia - I appreciate, greatly, your candor. I am so very, very glad that you don't hate your PTSD anymore. Being aware, insightful and honest with yourself: are Great things. Casey, Congratulations on being the you that you are.
-With My Love, Margaret
-With My Love, Margaret
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Casey Francia - Casey, Honey, you don't want your PTSD to take over who you are. You are a wonderful, valuable, very intelligent lady. I applaud you for all of that. -With My Love, Margaret
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Casey Francia - Casey, Hon', I have PTSD. I have trouble with my anger; at times. I also have terrible nightmares. But the main thing, Casey, is to Not allow your PTSD to Define you. -With the Very Best of My Love for You, Margaret
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Ge Zhi
Thank you. https://www.anttone.com/
International Phone Call Communication, International SMS And Voice Service.Voip System, IP Phone...
International Phone Call Communication, International SMS And Voice Service, Voip Phone System, voip phone, ip phone. Ant Tone,Inc.
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Sir, the biggest factor is trust. Veterans do not trust the government or the VA. In my case, I did not file paperwork with the VA until 2008, and I was in Vietnam 1969-1970. It is tough admitting to yourself that you are not the tough guy and need help. I was getting nowhere with the VA, so last year, I contacted a Veteran Service Officer with the VFW. With his help, I was able to have my Agent Orange claim processed.
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The VA is not interested in getting us help. They just want us to go away. the best way for them to get that result is with big pharma. They had me on a variety of crap until I said fuck, I'll deal with it on my own. Now, I take the occasional Xanax to help me sleep but the last time I had a GOOD nights sleep was 45 years ago BEFORE I went to the military.
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SFC Eric Williams
I'm having that same sleep issue I've only sleeps five or six hours Asian the last three days....I'm dealing with the migraines and chest pains because of it....this has been going Ian for nearly 25 years now...I have to use a product called "Sleepy time tea", but it takes me a week to get back to a coherent state of mind. I'm going to look into that Xanax...Thanks
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SFC Eric Williams
Pride...we are trained Not to go to Sick call, even when we need to....to prevent feeling a sense of failure.
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MSG (Join to see)
right now i'm on 2 meds for anxiety and depression the med for sleep really f'd me up getting out of bed to piss i passed out and cracked several ribs this med med is now gone when i had psych appoinment with my doc he cancelled it , still waiting for reschedule with him
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SSG Ralph Watkins
I worked for the VA. Went to Iraq with my Guard unit & went back to work & sought help at my local VA. I was stupid enough to believe the VA was one big system & all care was the same. So not true. I can write volumes on how much my local VA sucks. I ended up in crisis & they had no beds. They sent me to another VA facility several hours away. What a Godsend. They immediately weaned me off most of the meds I was on. Actually gave me a diagnosis of PTSD. My local VA flatly refused to. They found so many issues with how I had been treated at my local VA. They gave me a choice of many therapies & coping skills that worked for me. They impressed upon me to see the best care I could find for out-patient care after discharge, not necessarily the VA. When I got back to my local VA, they wanted to undo everything the professional VA had done. They made it sound like if I didn't get my care from the VA, that I would lose my benefits. I put down my foot & went & got non-VA help on my own. I found the local mental health services to on par with the professional VA near Philly. They had started preparing for returning vets the day after 9-11. I get good treatment, modern medications, & have no issues being seen if I have issues. My local VA's services seem like they never made it past kindergarten when dealing with PTSD. The Coatesville VAMC & my non-VA services are the utmost professionals.
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I think a big part of it is that most veterans feel let down on themselves to admit that he or she actually has a problem. We want to remain tuff and in charge of our destiny and to ask for help is admitting that we are not in charge. We have to get veterans to realize that every problem has a solution and admitting that we have a problem is the beginning of solving the problem. Communication and a solid support group can make a major difference in how we deal with everyday life. I dealt with my issues on my own for many years, after loosing most of my friends, becoming anti social and basically suffering in silence, I finally sought help. After individual counseling and group therapy, I realized that many veterans are dealing with internal issues and some were/are far worse then me. I found comfort in talking to a group and sharing everyday efforts to be more beneficial than the one-on-one sessions. Brothers and sisters at arms recovering together.
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1SG Richard Evans
Clinton, that is the big picture; it is so much easier talking to fellow service members than a therapist who is just going down a check list and trying to get you to agree that it is all in your head. Well spoken brother!
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MSG (Join to see)
1SG thank you are correct especially at the higher ranks we feel that we are in charge and in cotroll, in my case i decieded to retire because I wasn't living the army values and I need to take care of me more than my troops
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LTC Stephen Kubiszewski
We still a concerted effort to encourage more local peer support groups which are regular in time, location.
Get out of the clinical and organizational modes.
Get out of the clinical and organizational modes.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs It's painful to know that we are still losing Soldiers to wars long over. That's how I look at it when I hear about a Soldier committing suicide.
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SSG Don Maggart
of the 28 States in the Database and with VA Reporting it comes out Light...
VA reporting of those Drawing Compensation the toll stands at 22 a day....It is not total nor Finite...
VA reporting of those Drawing Compensation the toll stands at 22 a day....It is not total nor Finite...
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Sgt Martin Querin
#Context: the media outcry about all of the troops lost in the "Global War on Terror", 2001-present, less than 7,000 vs the 3500 civilians they killed in a matter of hours.
I read a 2013 LA Time article that noted that 15 of the 22 suicides per day were vets over 50, so they posited that their deaths had nothing to do with their service; like that makes that statistic OK. Ridiculous, but let's accept it's "only" 7/day. So we are losing approximately 2600 veterans a day to suicide. That means we're losing more veterans every 3 years than the enemy has managed to kill in 16 years of war! That's just crazy...
I read a 2013 LA Time article that noted that 15 of the 22 suicides per day were vets over 50, so they posited that their deaths had nothing to do with their service; like that makes that statistic OK. Ridiculous, but let's accept it's "only" 7/day. So we are losing approximately 2600 veterans a day to suicide. That means we're losing more veterans every 3 years than the enemy has managed to kill in 16 years of war! That's just crazy...
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A big factor for me was fear. Fear of seeming weak and not sure of the unknown and having to talk to yet another Dr.
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
SSG Joel Galford, the biopsychosocial stress of fearing how one is perceived by others is one of the biggest obstacles to optimal mental/emotional health. Being 'drummed out' of the military (literally and figuratively) in shame and disgrace has no equal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumming_out
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumming_out
Drumming out - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Drumming out is the historical act of being dishonorably dismissed from military service to the sound of a drum. In modern figurative usage, in which the term is sometimes altered to "drub[bing/bed/etc.] out," it may refer to any act of expulsion or dismissal in disgrace.[1]
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TSgt Keith Wright
Absolutly on Point, Psychiatry should be used to heal people not discriminate against them necause of race creed or religion.
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TSgt Keith Wright
Psychiatry teaches meditation and other principles taught in Yoga. Yogi is a religion, These religions are in fact the reason for most behavior issues. So why is their not a Clergy Minister in Mental Health? If Satanists teach things that disturb people like hypnosis then why does mental health call these disorders when religion can correct these issues instantly? These statements deserve some study and analysis before a sharp comment as to why these statements may not be true. If you know these statements are not true then you have never studied Satanisim, or you have studied Satanisim and hold true to its common core as to deny everything. If America as Obama states is the only country that is plagued with mass homocides then we do not have a gun law problem we have an occult problem. Iran seeks Divine Revenge, and launches Holy Jihad, also described as an Inner struggle, could we consider demon possession an inner struggle?
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
I've been giving this one some thought and that's why I haven't responded until now. I believe the reason is lack of trust. Specifically a lot of these veterans have tried other (sometimes multiple) services that didn't work for them for various reasons. They now feel jaded and don't think that anything new will help them.
I've been giving this one some thought and that's why I haven't responded until now. I believe the reason is lack of trust. Specifically a lot of these veterans have tried other (sometimes multiple) services that didn't work for them for various reasons. They now feel jaded and don't think that anything new will help them.
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Sarah Zayas
I agree with trust. There is a subculture that spreads lies about what strong men don't do, but does not give them a clear reference of what strong men can do. This subculture teaches that young men are not expected to be articulate, emotionally aware, or creative thus robbing young men of their tools to regenerate. The subculture wouldn't know what a real strong man looks like if he hit them in the face. Without a good definition of strong the path of least resistance is to put down anyone who needs help. Young men identify themselves with not appearing weak, no matter how obscure the definition of strong and weak are. Perhaps we need to be more specific what it means to not leave a soldier behind. It means lending another soldier your strength. We put limitations on women but we put limitations on men too.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I feel the reason Active Duty service members do not seek help is the combination of confidentiality and admittedly the stigma that exists today. I train all in processing to my post and use it to let them know it's OK to seek help we today's military are shrinking and we must accept the duty to each other's keeper. We also have the MFLC's come in and speak to our classes to help with the message.
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PO2 Kurt Alexander
Yes, totally agree with you Joseph, that is why Global PTSI Foundation has taken to calling it an "Injury" as that is more fitting that a disorder...
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CW3 Jim Norris
PFC Joseph Levi - That poster is wonderful.....and ain't us brother, it's what happened.......
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TSgt Keith Wright
I would like to know why the Church is not Partnerd with Mental Health Services? Why do we not have a Chaplain in the Mental Health Clinic? This reminds me of that Chinese Guy standing in front of a Tank in China, as if he is the one going against the flow
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TSgt Keith Wright
If a bank is robbed and we ask the bank robber to help solve the robbery, as we think that the bank robber is not the perpetrator: in the same since 2016 is not the year to discuss these matters of mental health and the occult in WA DC, in fact 2017 will be the best year to have these types of discussions in WA DC. Sen Ted Cruz would take this head on, Donald Trump will tackle this problem, all the rest are in DC for the money, go with the flow.
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