Posted on Dec 20, 2015
Veteran who killed himself during traffic stop suffered from PTSD
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Very sad story about another veteran who lost his life that suffered from PTSD.
James Morris sought mental health services for more than 2 years
This article spells out a lot of the wraning signs - take some time to read it please
Seek help if you need it - there are many RP Members here you can turn to!
Here is a link on RP to our Group Page for more information, please “follow” our page:
https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/sponsor-a-vet-life-virtual-world-solutions-d-b-a-sponsor-a-vet-life-wharton-nj
James Morris sought mental health services for more than 2 years
This article spells out a lot of the wraning signs - take some time to read it please
Seek help if you need it - there are many RP Members here you can turn to!
Here is a link on RP to our Group Page for more information, please “follow” our page:
https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/sponsor-a-vet-life-virtual-world-solutions-d-b-a-sponsor-a-vet-life-wharton-nj
Veteran who killed himself during traffic stop suffered from PTSD
Posted from bendbulletin.com
PTSD
Suicide
Victory for Veterans (VFV)
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 21
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That is a very sad story COL Mikel J. Burroughs. US Army veteran of Afghanistan James Morris obviously had a suicidal plan which is why he had the gun he stole from his grandmother in the glove compartment. Clinical depression includes making specific suicide plans.
PTSD may have been a contributing factor but clinical depression is probably what drove James Morris to kill himself. In the past I experienced bouts of clinical depression and I have known many suicides and some people who attempted suicide. By the grace of God I am alive.
Look for signs of depression in those close to you and if you.
LTC Stephen C. COL Jean (John) F. B. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 Charlie Poulton CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC William Farrell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SSgt Robert Marx SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert Hawks SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SGT Forrest Stewart SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SPC (Join to see)
PTSD may have been a contributing factor but clinical depression is probably what drove James Morris to kill himself. In the past I experienced bouts of clinical depression and I have known many suicides and some people who attempted suicide. By the grace of God I am alive.
Look for signs of depression in those close to you and if you.
LTC Stephen C. COL Jean (John) F. B. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 Charlie Poulton CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC William Farrell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SSgt Robert Marx SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert Hawks SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SGT Forrest Stewart SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SPC (Join to see)
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As you all know, I've fought these ghosts for over 50 years. I feel so bad for this kids family. Especially the grandmother. His family will never get over his death, but they will work through it.
From what I've seen with vets with PTSD, there is no warning. When they have killed themselves, it was a complete surprise to all of us. The last one, last year, loved his Harley. It was his only transportation. When he decided to kill himself, he gave away his Harley.He set his house on fire, and shot himself in the head.
I don't see how Morris's family can blame the VA for failing him.They gave him 70% PTSD disability. They offered a therapy group, which he never went back to. He stayed drunk a lot, so any meds he was taking were not working for him. If you're offered help, get help. You can't continue drinking or doing drugs. If you do, you're wasting yours and the VA's time. If you don't do,drugs and drink, you can't get rid of PTSD, but you can rationalize better and make good decisions. The VA offers help. It's up to the Vets to get that help. I was in a six month treatment program. Five days a week, 8 hours a day. I wanted to get better, and I did.
From what I've seen with vets with PTSD, there is no warning. When they have killed themselves, it was a complete surprise to all of us. The last one, last year, loved his Harley. It was his only transportation. When he decided to kill himself, he gave away his Harley.He set his house on fire, and shot himself in the head.
I don't see how Morris's family can blame the VA for failing him.They gave him 70% PTSD disability. They offered a therapy group, which he never went back to. He stayed drunk a lot, so any meds he was taking were not working for him. If you're offered help, get help. You can't continue drinking or doing drugs. If you do, you're wasting yours and the VA's time. If you don't do,drugs and drink, you can't get rid of PTSD, but you can rationalize better and make good decisions. The VA offers help. It's up to the Vets to get that help. I was in a six month treatment program. Five days a week, 8 hours a day. I wanted to get better, and I did.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Gregory Lawritson - Very much so. He kept me alive in the Vietnam war, and he played a huge part in me attempting suicide. He's been with me my entire life. Sometimes we forget that when we feel down and out, and then, with me, it's like a light bulb came on and I think, "Yeah, I can pray about it and trust it in his hands. Examples of my faith.
1.) When I was ten, I was accidentally kicked off a mountain top, by my sister swinging on a swing. I was taken to ER and was ok, with only head wounds and a throbbing knee.
2.) When I was thirteen I was hit from behind by a pick up truck. Again I went to ER, with facial and leg wounds, and after a few days in the hospital, I was ok.
3.) in Vietnam, I experienced two helicopter crashes. One was shot down. The other was an engine failure at 5000 feet. We actually fell off a mountain top when we landed on the edge of the LZ and a large gust of wind, blew us off. I don't know how far we fell until we got power back, but the rotors looked like they could touch the side of the mountain.
My helicopter had bullet holes all around my gun well, but none hit me.
4.) I went through a terrible divorce, yet after a few days. I looked at the good things that came out of my marriage. Like a daughter and son, I adored my kids and still do
5.) in 1994, My twenty year old son was killed in a car accident. In 1996 our house burned down. We never asked "Why Me God". Why not me? We never forgot our faith. I don't think I was being tested, because God doesn't do that. Those were accidents that I came out of ok.
Sorry for the long answer, but I'm proud I have God in my life, and have had all my life.
1.) When I was ten, I was accidentally kicked off a mountain top, by my sister swinging on a swing. I was taken to ER and was ok, with only head wounds and a throbbing knee.
2.) When I was thirteen I was hit from behind by a pick up truck. Again I went to ER, with facial and leg wounds, and after a few days in the hospital, I was ok.
3.) in Vietnam, I experienced two helicopter crashes. One was shot down. The other was an engine failure at 5000 feet. We actually fell off a mountain top when we landed on the edge of the LZ and a large gust of wind, blew us off. I don't know how far we fell until we got power back, but the rotors looked like they could touch the side of the mountain.
My helicopter had bullet holes all around my gun well, but none hit me.
4.) I went through a terrible divorce, yet after a few days. I looked at the good things that came out of my marriage. Like a daughter and son, I adored my kids and still do
5.) in 1994, My twenty year old son was killed in a car accident. In 1996 our house burned down. We never asked "Why Me God". Why not me? We never forgot our faith. I don't think I was being tested, because God doesn't do that. Those were accidents that I came out of ok.
Sorry for the long answer, but I'm proud I have God in my life, and have had all my life.
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SGT Robert George
SGT Gregory Lawritson - St Michael the archangel defend us in battle , be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil , may God rebuke him we humbly pray and do thou O heavenly Host , Thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls ... Amen...
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Gregory Lawritson - Thanks. That's wonderful that you found God in your life in 1973.
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I just read this COL Mikel J. Burroughs and was just about in tears. I am so sorry for his loss and that he could not or would not get the help he so desperately needed. I hope that his family is able to deal with the pain knowing that he is not suffering anymore. Often I should not read stories like these as it kicks in my own PTSD, survivor guilt and all.
Stay safe all and talk, talk, talk. Thanks for sharing Mikel.
Stay safe all and talk, talk, talk. Thanks for sharing Mikel.
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