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PTSD & Mental Health

Discussion in 'Military' started by ColoradoTJ, Apr 28, 2021.

  1. Apr 29, 2021 at 11:30 AM
    #31
    bflooks

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  2. Apr 29, 2021 at 11:48 AM
    #32
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    Thanks for posting this Chris. It’s a cause that is very dear to my heart. Besides the other resources posted, we have an organization here and Houston that is very important to me. These guys house and help our veterans who struggle with PTSD, along with their families.
    If any of our veterans here need help, or knows one who does, please get in touch with them. These people are incredible, and save lives every single day.

    https://ptsdusa.org/camp-hope/
     
  3. Apr 29, 2021 at 11:54 AM
    #33
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Not a vet or LEO/Firefighter but a lot has to do with crappy mental health care available. I have a friend whose daughter was going through a mental health crisis and saw countless “counselors”, etc and finally got to the point she wouldn’t go see a counselor anymore because they just weren’t helping.

    They finally got the daughter on Medicaid which opened up a whole new source of in-home mental health counseling for my friends daughter that WASN'T available through private insurance.

    Long story short it saved this girl, she did a full 180° and really improved her mental health and has a good job and lives on her own. My friend said the daughter probably wouldn’t be alive today had they not found this in-home mental health counseling.
     
  4. Apr 29, 2021 at 12:32 PM
    #34
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    One thing I’d like to add:

    Chris stated that they are losing a Special Forces member to suicide every three months. Just that number alone should be a call to action fo all of us. It’s just the tip of the iceberg though.

    Taking all branches and groups of the military into account, we lose 22 veterans to suicide every single day.

    This is a real problem. If you need help, please get it. If you can help, please do so. We owe these men and women every bit of support we can provide.
     
  5. Apr 29, 2021 at 1:35 PM
    #35
    rock climber

    rock climber New Member

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    Do you happen to know more about this, like what the in-home person did differently and how they found that person?
     
  6. Apr 29, 2021 at 5:05 PM
    #36
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Let me ask and get back to you.
     
  7. Aug 18, 2021 at 8:24 AM
    #37
    1UP

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    I hope there are some good listeners out there. If I am having feelings this week with my minimal involvement over the last 20 years, I can only imagine how gut wrenching this week has been for those who were boots on ground outside the wire.

    The LA Times article with pictures of the bloody and beaten (dead?) child broke my heart.
     
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  8. Aug 18, 2021 at 9:33 AM
    #38
    rockmup

    rockmup New Member

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    This is an important subject for me, glad to see it brought up.
    I have PTSD so I understand it at its most basic, I have had thousands of hrs of therapy and it's helped. **Note about therapy** Its only as good as you make it, therapists are easy to manipulate and I wasted years doing just that. It actually became a game for me and was quite enjoyable but in the end I suffered for it.
    I'm a big advocate for medical marijuana, specifically oils and edibles (Not CBD) and meditation.

    I share crisis hotline info monthly at a minimum on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. Reach out to those in need when I think they need it, respond when I'm contacted.

    If anyone needs someone to listen shoot me a pm and I'll give you my number.
     
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  9. Aug 18, 2021 at 12:12 PM
    #39
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    This is an excellent list. Am a veteran, and I think one of the biggest things that has helped me over time is the fact that my Dad was also a veteran (Vietnam Vet - saw a lot of the worst stuff) and he and I had an EXCELLENT relationship. As such, knowing what he went through, what he dealt with, how he got through it, etc., helped me.

    Probably the best advice I've run across is

    - to not just tell people to call if they have issues, but to actively seek them out, ask them how they're doing, and actively listen. I'm one of those who can be guilty of 'listening' - as in, just waiting for someone to shut up until I get to talk (lol) and people can easily sense when that is the case.

    - for one to invest themselves in an 'external' cause that leaves them fulfilled. I say 'external' because if you're focused on someone/something else, your mind is focused outward, and not simply dwelling on one's situation; and if it's fulfilling, it brings a sense of accomplishment, happiness, etc. For me, personally, it's my faith and my outward/external expressing of that (ministering to prison inmates, addicts, etc.). For others it might be animal rescue, or cleaning up the environment, etc.

    (Side note: When I say 'focusing outward, and not simply dwelling on one's situation, I'm not at all implying that no introspection or internal work should be done...just that we vets can 'get in our own heads' at times, and simply helping others, talking to people, etc. can shift focus and prevent us from spiraling.)
     
  10. Sep 16, 2021 at 4:56 PM
    #40
    avssuc

    avssuc Efilnikufesin

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    I just got back from laying to rest a good friend that took his own life over Memorial Day. He waited until his daughter was 18, shot himself in the chest so that his brain could be studied (TBI's).

    To answer your question, my best guess would be shame and guilt is what's killing us. For me it was. I made my 20, but not without going to rehab for all sorts of stuff. Inpatient therapy, EMDR, and just talking helps. Along with working out and filling your body with good food. Booze kills you, if you need a buzz, vape some herb. That's how I stay steady when I'm going off the rails.

    I'm an asshole most of the time, but if any of you ever needs to PM a former drug addicted, alcoholic, rageaholic... that likes hockey and long walks on the beach... I'm happy to chat.
     
  11. Sep 16, 2021 at 5:04 PM
    #41
    avssuc

    avssuc Efilnikufesin

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    A good friend of mine from Ft Hood got help here. Went from homeless, to jail, to there, and back to being a human. He actually helped me when I started slipping, so by proxy, I owe them too.
     
  12. Sep 16, 2021 at 5:53 PM
    #42
    AircareTundra

    AircareTundra New Member

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    Had an academy classmate commit suicide back in 2011. He had been first on scene where a dad shot his two young kids. Was never right after that and that happened way back in 98 or 99. We kind of fell out of touch as his wife asked us to stop inviting him to things like the fishing or nascar trips where booze was so prevalent. Had no idea but when his own child turned the same age as one of the kids he saw that day back then......the demons from that horrible scene would come back. Living my own life with navy spouse and 2 kids plus the shift work for me we fell out of touch. Felt guilty as shit when he took his life. Definitely needed to talk to someone.

    In 2008 when the last fatal helicopter crash happened the agency made all of us.....pilots and medics alike attend one of three massive group debriefing to make sure your head was in the game before returning to flight status. Learned a good bit like what different age family members might show as they process you getting back to work at the same place where four folks just died in a crash.

    Had a bad pediatric burn call years ago. My kids were same age as the patient. Had to vent on that one but talking to someone helped.

    Many good books out there to read including:
    Police suicide by Dr. John Violanti,
    Emotional Survival for law enforcement by Kevin Gilmartin
    I love a cop by Ellen Kirschman. (Great resource for families)

    You say to leave politics out of it but it is hard to do. Let me just say that either side of the political spectrum seem more concerned with their own fiscal well being and catering to their big donors or voting bases. But there is no denying that for folks who have skin in the game such as military, police, fire, ems, etc....etc.....that seeing political leaders who take the same oath to the constitution that you do....who then seem to cater to folks who march in streets chanting for the death of police or for illegal immigrants instead of the legal get up and go to work taxpaying Americans.... does not help. It has helped lead to the rash of early retirements. It has helped families discourage their children from joining what was once and still should be considered a noble profession. And for those who have skin in the game in Afghanistan......I can't imagine how they must feel trying to process how that exit went down, why they gave up so much and saw what they saw over multiple deployments etc...etc.....

    Not sure where things go in the future but the pendulum has to swing back to good vs evil, right vs wrong, etc...etc....instead of where things are today.

    Maybe eliminating implied immunity from judges or the politicians who pressure them into giving lenient sentences is a start.

    Please reach out to those you trust to talk. It does help one deal with the stressors and certainly for those critical incidents.

    Stay safe out there.
     
  13. Sep 16, 2021 at 5:53 PM
    #43
    romad86

    romad86 New Member

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    Excellent thread you started here! I think most people hit the big points as to why most hold back on talking about these things: stigma, embarrassment, signs of weakness, etc. I'm not sure about the PTS stuff exactly, but TBIs can lead into these realms as well. I've never been a big advocate for drugs or anything like that, but lots of friends have seen great results from CBD with TBI stuff. Don't get me wrong, medications have their place for sure. I just think that's too often the first resort when it doesn't always need to be. I'm not a combat vet, but I am always around if someone needs help.
     
  14. Sep 16, 2021 at 6:04 PM
    #44
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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  15. Sep 16, 2021 at 6:42 PM
    #45
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    Unfortunately I have co-workers that chose this unfortunate path. And my heart goes out to them and their families. I will never forget them and could only imagine the pain they were suffering through.

    So much is demanded of our military and first responders with such little care to their health outside of threads and small but powerful gestures like this thread (hat tip Chris). The mental and physical stress and abuse is unfathomable…. And yet with that said they are always the first to be judged by those that have never had the honor or responsibilities of wearing any uniform.

    MODERATERS: I apologize for any political undertones, but I highly respect what you are doing here and in no way mean any disrespect to you’ll.
     
  16. Sep 17, 2021 at 4:26 AM
    #46
    War Machine

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    Always glad to hear success stories like this. They’ve done so much to turn the tide and bring attention to the struggles these men and women have.
     
  17. Sep 17, 2021 at 4:31 AM
    #47
    TRD4x4Liberty

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    Original.
    Pets are a powerful way to bring happiness into someone’s life. My mom rescues white German Shepherds if anyone here (my new tundra loving friends) ever needs one. She has 4 puppies and some young adults right now.
     
  18. Sep 17, 2021 at 6:06 AM
    #48
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I agree. Animals love sharing their lives with us and visa versa.

    My GS is a handful, but he brings a lot of joy to our lives.
    14F728FC-A7D4-490E-BDAC-253E64A68C7E.jpg
     
  19. Sep 17, 2021 at 7:03 AM
    #49
    TRD4x4Liberty

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    I couldn’t agree more:). Beautiful dog!
     
  20. Sep 17, 2021 at 8:12 AM
    #50
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    That is a really nice offer. Hopefully someone in need take you up on that.
     
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  21. Sep 17, 2021 at 8:42 AM
    #51
    avssuc

    avssuc Efilnikufesin

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    Books that helped me are:

    "Achilles in Vietnam"

    "Jesus for President" [I have no skygods, but loved the book]

    "The Power of Now"

    Other books, like Slaughterhouse Five, The Doors of Perception, and other stuff that isn't therapy based, it helped me a bit, but I wouldn't recommend it for folks that are very dissociative (like we f*****g know when we are dissociative, what a stupid thing to type).

    Anyway, glad this thread is open. It's always nice to find new places where you can be yourself, with others like you.
     
  22. Sep 17, 2021 at 8:45 AM
    #52
    avssuc

    avssuc Efilnikufesin

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    Also, On Killing by LTC Grossman...and it too should 'only' be for those in the right state of mind. He takes a deep dive into what Marchand and Swank produced through their 20th century war studies.

    PTSD is a physical injury, that's essentially what we've known since WW1.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2021
  23. Sep 17, 2021 at 9:42 AM
    #53
    TRD4x4Liberty

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    The Power Of Now was an eye opener for me.
     
  24. Sep 25, 2021 at 7:24 AM
    #54
    romad86

    romad86 New Member

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    Just wanted to check in and keep the activity of the thread going. Anyone needs anything, give me a shout.
     
  25. Sep 25, 2021 at 12:34 PM
    #55
    AircareTundra

    AircareTundra New Member

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    Last night at work.....one of the pilots, myself, and my medcrew partner who was only 7 when 9/11 happened watched 2 parts of the 3 part national geographic special about 9/11.

    Was good to educate the youngun of the horrors of that day. For the old salty pilot and myself we found ourselves still wondering how we got from the selfless sacrifices of not just public service like FD, EMS, and the Police that day......but average citizens at work helping each other get out of the towers and such...............to the self serving what's in it for me crowd now. Can't believe we need safe spaces, want to change XMen movie names to be more inclusive, etc.....etc.....etc...... At least the youngun understands a little better why anyone with any time in public service or the military are thoroughly disgusted with what has happened in the 20 years since that horrible day for America.
     
  26. Sep 27, 2021 at 12:42 PM
    #56
    Katblackdiesel

    Katblackdiesel New Member

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    I always feel like the outcast in conversations like this. I am a medically retired veteran with CPTSD, which was gained from my life BEFORE my time served. Not to mention, as a female, it's a whole lot easier for me to fly under the radar when the subject comes up. Still, I've discovered one tactic of mine that has helped more than a few friends from all walks of life.

    I'm loud.

    Like, not in person. In person I'm so quiet its easy to forget I'm there. But when it comes to my mental health, I'm loud. I post about my failures, issues, wins, and losses. I've been told by countless people how my unfiltered reality of the battle with myself has encouraged them to seek help at all.

    Being able to listen, actually listen, is a very great skill to have as well.
     
  27. Nov 30, 2021 at 5:10 PM
    #57
    Gumbeaux

    Gumbeaux The new guy

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    I'm new to the forum. Is this still an active thread?
     
  28. Nov 30, 2021 at 5:30 PM
    #58
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    It sure can be and welcome from CO! Please share anything you’d like.
     
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  29. Dec 1, 2021 at 7:37 AM
    #59
    Gumbeaux

    Gumbeaux The new guy

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    Thank you! I'm a veteran with PTSD (so I understand), and would like to offer an ear to listen if anyone needs to talk. Please feel free to message me anytime.
     
  30. Dec 18, 2021 at 8:46 PM
    #60
    avssuc

    avssuc Efilnikufesin

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    As the holiday season kicks into full swing, make sure you're dusting off those recall rosters and checking in on your battle buddies. It's been a tough couple years, and I'm sure many could use the sound of a familiar voice.
     
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