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?
56.1K
1.03K
276
63
63
0
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
8
8
0
First, eliminate the stigma (shame) that is attached to PTSD. As we've seen here on RP there are some within our own ranks who erroneously believe this to be a scam. Second, watch the movie Concussion to see what forces of denial you are up against. If you stood a 1-in-4 chance of developing suicidal tendencies and related mental health problems as a result of 'playing the game', who would enlist? Education and a high-profile champion with clout is key.
(8)
(0)
8
8
0
Hate to say it, Hate to think it but I think there is still a "Macho" attitude that refuses to acknowledge that we are human and need help. Refusal to acknowledge our Physical and Mental Ailments. Fear to let others in and seek the help they can provide. Lack in Trust of "Others".
(8)
(0)
Sarah Zayas
I was raised in a "Macho" environment the first time I met a young man who wrote poems, paintings and a vocabulary longer than mine I did not know what to think of him. He joined the army and proved to me that the strongest men express themselves.
(1)
(0)
7
7
0
Feelings of government betrayal, abandonment, loss of faith, lack of trust in the VA, and the realization that America is oblivious to what is going on on the battlefield all are reasons veterans reject help.
(7)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Fear.......there is a huge stigma attached with PTSD and folks don't want to get labeled. Hell I almost walked out of my job a few months ago because someone found out I have PTSD and started discriminating against me (long story, short of it I'm still here, there personnel record is a little bigger) but goes to my point. MOST people I know who have PTSD do not want it to be public knowledge, they will deal with a finite number of folks (usually friends in the same boat) but they do not want to expand that circle of trust without good reason if even then.
TSgt Keith Wright
MIT research could help with PTSD research? This technology is based on thought computer integration.
(1)
(0)
TSgt Keith Wright
The same thing happened to me Ronald. I question if Mental Health is even a place where science is accepted. The term witch Dr applied to Psychologists is a common thought. Maybe there is a reason for that common thought. Early psychiatry in the 1800’s would force Psyc patients to participate in Satanic Rituals. Before the Civil War some were diagnosed with Drepatomania a Sever mental illness that causes negros to run away from their owners. This was treated with medications. Again I often wonder about the science of mental health services. I believe we need more science based care with a balance of clergy involved. You see the Pentagon fired my Wounded Warrior Counselor and moved my file to the pentagon, The pagan pastor at Travis was in fear of his life if he helped me. Basically something mysterious was happening that the Pentagone recognized as a real issue. I ended up joining a group in Los Angeles known as the Golden Dawn and they helped me allot. I would recommend the Masons, Golden Dawn etc for help even the Church. Wherever you can find help I encurage you to seek help, as PTSD is the worst thing on earth, if for some reason your mental health provider is helping you then keep on giving that person your attention. I do have a bias, but that’s my bias based on personal events in my life and the pentagon intervening in my care and my education in world religions having a Doctorate in Divinity. PTSD is the silent war. One day we will prevail and one day we will have a cure so please don’t give up on your self.
(2)
(0)
CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
TSgt Keith Wright - what you've described is the moral insult that is an often-ignored or even maligned component of PTSD which is obviously not addressed by conventional therapies. We have a spiritual component that is subject to wounding every so much as our bodies and psyche.
(1)
(0)
TSgt Keith Wright
Andy, I think you have described this better then I did. PTSD is where Science and religion colide.
(1)
(0)
7
7
0
Frankly, I don't say anything about TBI, or PTSD on medical screenings because I'm an avid shooter. Given that the VA can arbitrarily declare you not mentally competent to own a firearm, I'll just not say anything about it and deal with it myself.
(7)
(0)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
GySgt (Join to see) That seems to be the norm for those members that want to keep their 2nd Amendment right in tact!
(3)
(0)
GySgt (Join to see)
Sir, it's not just a 2nd amendment issue, with this policy in place, once it becomes the new normal, what's to say it can't be extended to voting, or even to peaceably assemble. On the other end you have military medicine talking about reductions in cases and better treatment, in reality the reduction in cases is because we just don't report it.
(3)
(0)
Suspended Profile
SSG Warren Swan already pointed out - Fear, Fear and more Fear. For me for example I did not want to ask for help until I nearly ended up killing someone due to the fact that I was still in the military. Providing any info to my chain of command was basically Death Sentence to military career.
7
7
0
I've found that we hold on to that age old stigma and alienate ourselves thinking we are broken and nobody can understand. I find it hard for myself to will myself to open a box of expierences and issues that I keep shut and buried. Though as I found out through therapy is that stuff will find a source to come out no matter how hard you try to lock it away.
(7)
(0)
1SG Richard Evans
I agree with you Justin, we all want to keep our box locked away. The worst part to that is that the box opens up when other things in life go sour. This is when most people feel overwhelmed and have coping issues. We associate new issues with things we already have problems dealing with and we don't think anyone will understand or really know how to help. It's tough and we all just have to take whatever life hands us one day at a time. Take care and enjoy the holidays.
(4)
(0)
7
7
0
I encourage my military friends to seek help even if they are still serving. Some with PTSD are afraid of losing their career and also losing their weapons.
Some think that asking for help portrays them as being weak which isn't true
Please if you need help, please get it
Some think that asking for help portrays them as being weak which isn't true
Please if you need help, please get it
(7)
(0)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Cpl Clinton Britt Thanks for sharing your thoughts and keep encouraging them to seek help. They can connect with me as well at: [login to see]
(2)
(0)
7
7
0
The biggest problem for senior NCOs was the negative perception of being weak and those of us with Top Secret clearances were afraid we could lose it
Because at he end of the day your medical records are not private.
Because at he end of the day your medical records are not private.
(7)
(0)
(1)
(0)
1SG Richard Evans
That's a good point SGM, some of us felt like we would loose more than we gain such as integrity, respect and the status of being the type of leader to take care of our soldiers, the mission and ourselves.
(2)
(0)
CW3 Jim Norris
It was a damned if you do and damned if you don't......your behavior is influenced by the PTSD, but you can't tell anyone why you act that way because that is an unacceptable reason...after all you're a leader.... No body wants pity, most people need understanding and that comes from either training or experiences shared.
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
Some of the individual's do have trust issues with others, but we need to try to gain their trust.
(5)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 