Posted on Apr 3, 2014
What are we going to do to help our soldiers with PTSD???
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PTSD
Health
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This is everyone's responsibility to identify a fellow Soldier in crisis. Quite often our Soldiers try to "deal with it themselves" until they reach their brewing point. Couple our pride & sense if duty (which drives this identity to not want to be a burden to our unit) with typical movements (PCS), can create the situation that we do not know our guys right away - can't identify changes in personality. The current situation at Fort Hood it a terrible situation.
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As CSM Uhlig said " is everyone's responsibility to identify a fellow Soldier in crisis". Engaged leadership and caring/compassionate leaders goes a long way. Reccomending a Soldier for an award or sending a Soldier to a promotion board (prematurely) does not constitute care/compassion. I am talking about digging in the weeds. Knowing your Soldiers. Know where they came from, what they enjoy doing, check on them in their living areas, check on them while they are working, go to the local "hot spots" where they hang out (I used to do this in ACU uniform as a 1SG) make time to talk to them about life in general not just the Army. Don't foster a "Im your buddy" relationship though, us as leaders need to understand that difference and avoid it. Engaged, caring and compassionate leaders are hard to come by these days but I feel that we are headed in the right direction. While it is humanly impossible to avoid every single negative situation any Soldier could ever present, we can lessen the numbers dramtically by being engaged.
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It's a very long process to get programs implemented that will truly help our soldiers. With 12+ years of war now, we are better off now with programs than we were when it first started off. But you are correct, it is ultimately up to the person to seek help. It could be forced, but it doesn't mean they will accept the fact they need help. Denial is a major problem for personnel who suffer from PTSD.
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SPC Sven Pacot
That is exactly true. I was in denial even after honorable discharge. It took two major wake up calls until I finally admitted it AND sought help.
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1SG Henry Yates
I was there, even as an E8. I almost lost my Family. That was my breaking point. None of us should let it reach that point. We see ourselves slipping or missing a step or two. You're right, the path to admission may prove to be long, but help really isn't far off.
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The best answer I can give you immediately is to have family surround and with the soldier. War-time has a tendency to 'screw' with your head but it's almost impossible to erase family connections from birth. Family support is imperative and sometimes the only way to help someone see a light at the end of a tunnel. I wish there were a magic wand that could be waved but we're smart enough to know that does not exist.<br><br>Family members can often-times help see a crack in the facade where help can begin. Also having loved ones fight for you can be an empowering thing. Support and assistance comes in all shapes and sizes, the key is to find what works for you. The best advice I can offer is to never slam the door shut, because there is far more value in life than the alternatives.<br><br>Cpt H Davis has mentioned on many occasions that she will do what she can to step in and assist any SM to the best of her ability, as a resource she can be a valuable tool to have on your side.<br>
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
<p>CPT Riley:</p><p><br></p><p>Thank you I want to share my e-mail [login to see] .mil or [login to see] . I have written papers on intergenerational PTSD, and Childhood PTSD. PTSD is a complex trauma and in my family history, every generation in my family has served!!</p><p><br></p><p>I did not realize that until recently, I did not recall the chronic violent environmental abuse that I went through due to my Father's combat stress.</p><p><br></p><p>My personality changed tremendously after my deployment, and all of my unresolved issues from childhood came out. I will share with you it is imperative that you have at least one Battle that you can trust to sort through the behavior that is driving the addictions.</p><p><br></p><p>I am an Army Reservist and I have 30 years in I went through the ranks and I have confidentiality. PTSD impacts not just you but your next children and their generation.</p><p><br></p><p>In box me if you want my phone number or need to talk. Every veteran and active duty and reserve component is a part of my Military family and you are loved and you matter!! Do not isolate yourself, it only gets worse!!</p>
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
If you have been sexually molested as a kid this creates a complex childhood PTSD.
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MAJ (Join to see)
@ CPT Davis,
Your outline/description is 100% correct - ie, unresolved issues coming out due to deployment. I saw a lot of casualties downrange, but there was only one that really bothered me because the soldier reminded me of my brother, who I watched die a few years previously. The emotional impact wasn't so much from that soldier's death as it was a lot of unresolved emotions from my brother's death that came rushing back in. It's strange how the mind works and it's important that we remain vigilant because somebody who is perfectly normal one day, can have an experience that triggers the past and all that comes forward spontaneously. You combine that with reintegration post deployment (which is obviously stressful), and it becomes a sensitive period. Military members are particularly susceptible, because we deal with a lot of emotionally impacting situations throughout our career (in particular, constant moves and deployments).
Your outline/description is 100% correct - ie, unresolved issues coming out due to deployment. I saw a lot of casualties downrange, but there was only one that really bothered me because the soldier reminded me of my brother, who I watched die a few years previously. The emotional impact wasn't so much from that soldier's death as it was a lot of unresolved emotions from my brother's death that came rushing back in. It's strange how the mind works and it's important that we remain vigilant because somebody who is perfectly normal one day, can have an experience that triggers the past and all that comes forward spontaneously. You combine that with reintegration post deployment (which is obviously stressful), and it becomes a sensitive period. Military members are particularly susceptible, because we deal with a lot of emotionally impacting situations throughout our career (in particular, constant moves and deployments).
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Real, trustworthy, confidential help exists. I understand that finding it may seem to be a needle in a hay stack. First, if you seek help and you aren't getting it, change your source. You have that right. If the source as a whole is corrupt, as I'm embarrassed to mention, access another system; their is more help than the most familiar. Can't find help, connect with me. I am employed with the Army Medical Department as an Ombudsman. I can help any Service Member, Veteran and their loved ones. The Army Chief of Staff developed this program. The Army pays us to help you at no cost, in finding reliable sources or help. You're not cornered as it may seem whether it's UCMJ or not. I you know someone that needs confidential help, have them connect with me and we'll get them access to help. Sometimes, just knowing you aren't trapped makes an enormous difference.
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Here is a resource you can give to your Battles who are struggling with the how-to's. Coaching Into Care [login to see]
It isn't much but it is a start.
It isn't much but it is a start.
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CPT Richard Riley
SPC Pacot, anything can be a start & if it works for you, so much the better! Everyone needs to start somewhere .....
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I see this thread has not had any action in about a year. I just ran across an article and a service which provide a different perspective on the PTSD issue. The civilian side of PTSD and those who want to help. Read this article first:
http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/about-us/esolutions-newsletter/e-solutions-january-2014
This article provides a little prospective from the the POV of the civilian provider trying to help.
And then as a link off of this article here is a free resource for those warriors who are for one reason or another outside of the influence of the VA. Help our brothers to help themselves by spreading the word about resources available to those outside the system.
http://couragebeyond.org/
http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/about-us/esolutions-newsletter/e-solutions-january-2014
This article provides a little prospective from the the POV of the civilian provider trying to help.
And then as a link off of this article here is a free resource for those warriors who are for one reason or another outside of the influence of the VA. Help our brothers to help themselves by spreading the word about resources available to those outside the system.
http://couragebeyond.org/
e-Solutions January 2014 / SAMHSA-HRSA
January 2014 eSolutions on Veterans
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Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns
I have a book on Amazon for all PTSD sufferers, veteran or civilian and I have also converted my existing company R. Manns & Associates into a Human Services and Personal Advocate Company. http://rmannsassociates.yolasite.com.
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Personally, I'd like to hear it called 'Post Traumatic Stress' from now on, because that's exactly what it is. The word disorder implies there's is something wrong with men and women who need help moving past some bad experiences in their lives. There's a stigma about vets with PTSD being crazy or whatever and that isn't helping anybody.
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