Army to soldier, go to jail if you try suicide and fail

Under military law, soldiers who attempt suicide can be prosecuted under the theory that it affects the order and discipline of a unit and brings discredit to the armed forces. In reality, criminal charges are extremely rare unless there is evidence the attempt was an effort to avoid service or endangered others.

Army charges Iraq vet over self-inflicted gun wound
Despite years of exemplary service, Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, right, could face prison over a mental breakdown in Iraq.

Army charges Iraq vet over self-inflicted gun wound
By Dana Priest and Anne Hull
The Washington Post


Despite years of exemplary service, Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, right, could face prison over a mental breakdown in Iraq.

MICHEL DU CILLE
Now a psychiatric outpatient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, 25, is undergoing a court-martial and faces the possibility of life in prison if she is tried and convicted.
WASHINGTON — In a nondescript conference room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 1st Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside listened last week as an Army prosecutor outlined the criminal case against her. The charges: attempting suicide and endangering the life of another soldier while serving in Iraq.
Her hands trembled as Maj. Stefan Wolfe, the prosecutor, argued that Whiteside, now a psychiatric outpatient at Walter Reed, should be court-martialed. After seven years of exemplary service, the Army reservist faces the possibility of life in prison if she is tried and convicted.
Military psychiatrists at Walter Reed who examined Whiteside, 25, after she recovered from her self-inflicted gun wound diagnosed her with a severe mental disorder, possibly triggered by the stresses of a war zone. But Whiteside's superiors considered her mental illness "an excuse" for criminal conduct, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post.
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According to the report on suicides, there were over 900 others who seriously attempt suicide each year while serving. Did they arrest all of them? Did they put them all on trial for trying to take their own lives? Or did they do the right thing and look at the reason they tried to commit suicide? This is torture beyond belief and we are paying to prosecute them? That's right folks. Our money is paying to put them on trial instead of going to treat them for what their minds have to go through. Is this nation ever going to get totally serious about any of this or are we still going to allow for empty promises and claims with no connection to facts?

PTSD Clinic For Female Veterans

PTSD Clinic For Female Veterans

More women are part of the U.S. military and seeing combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some return with the same psychological problems their male counterparts faced for years, post traumatic stress disorder.


Local 12's Jeff Hirsh reports that the Tri-State is one of the few regions in the nation with a PTSD clinic, just for women.


From the horrors of war can come wounds of the body and wounds of the mind.


"I carried a rifle with me for a year," said Danielle Sosin, Iraq War veteran. "I saw a lot, and now I can't go to Target. Who is this person?"


Who is this person? A different female veteran, not traumatized by combat, but by another form of brutal violence. She was raped by her Army drill sergeant. More than 20 years later, the panic remains:


"When it first starts, almost like you're having a heart attack," said Michelle Covert, sexual trauma victim. "Your heart starts beating really fast, pain starts shooting down your left arm and as it progresses, I will literally stop breathing and pass out."


Now, these two veterans sit side-by-side, getting help.
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Women Veterans There are more than you think

There are some narrow minded people in this country assuming that the problems female veterans and active members of the Armed Forces, have less problems than males. Some still think females are just doing light support work. If you pay any attention at all to what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, you are aware they do not serve with a food tray. They are using machine guns.

They are exposed to the same traumatic events as males. But more, they are exposed to sexual trauma from the males. Women all over the world are used, abused and attacked. What makes the military women different is that they are surrounded by males with weapons day and night. I am in no way suggesting all of them are attacked. Thankfully the attacks on women in the military are not the "norm" in the military. Many leaders no longer dismiss the rapes and show no tolerance of this crime. However there are still too many subjecting the women to further abuse by dismissing their claims, or worse, blaming them.

They still have a hard time with PTSD because of the same traumas the males face but added to all of this are the sexual attacks and abuse.

According to the VA there are only four states with special PTSD centers:

Where are the special PTSD treatment centers?

Women Veteran Stress Disorder Treatment Programs have been established
at the following VA sites:
• Boston, MA
• Brecksville, OH
• Loma Linda, CA
• New Orleans, LA

Homeless veterans, women with children, only 11 pilot programs.

How do I contact a coordinator for options for women veterans who are homeless with children?

Contact the local VA homeless coordinator (or point of contact), Social Work Services department, or Women Veterans Program Manager at your local VAMC. There are homeless women veteran and homeless women veterans with children pilot programs located at 11 designated VA facilities as well, and the Women Veterans Program Manager can discuss what options are available in your area.

Veteran Specific Highlights:
23% of homeless population are veterans
33% of male homeless population are veterans
47% Vietnam Era
17% post Vietnam
15% pre Vietnam
67% served three or more years
33% stationed in war zone
25% have used VA Homeless Services
85% completed high school/GED compared to 56% of non-veterans
89% received Honorable Discharge
79% reside in central cities
16% reside in suburban areas
5% reside in rural areas
76% experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems
46% white males compared to 34% non-veterans
46% age 45 or older compared to 20% non-veterans
Service needs:45% help finding job37% finding housing


Treatment within the backlog of claims

How do I get a clinic appointment when the waiting list is six months for an initial appointment?

If you experience an urgent or emergent medical condition, you can contact your local VA health care facility telephone care program or visit their walk-in (urgent care) clinic or emergency room. Non-acute problems will be scheduled on a next-available appointment basis.

Where can I get inpatient psychiatric care as a woman veteran?

Most VA Medical Centers have inpatient mental health programs. Contact your VA Primary Care Provider or the local Mental Health Program office for assistance. If you already have a therapist and need inpatient care, please discuss your concerns with your therapist.

If you have urgent or emergent needs, you can contact your local VA health care facility telephone care program or urgent care clinic.

For more go here

http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/docs/25FAQs_web_version.doc

Specialized Programs for Women Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded grants to eight community-based homeless veteran service providers to support programs designed specifically for women veterans, including those with dependent children. The grants are funded under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. The programs funded under this “special needs” GPD program are:

California Long Beach, United Veterans Initiative (562-388-7810)

Los Angeles, Salvation Army (310-478-3711)

San Diego, Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (619-497-6123)

Santa Rosa, Vietnam Veterans of California (707-578-8387)

Florida Tampa, Agency for Community Treatment Services, (813-246-4899)

Massachusetts Leeds, United Veterans of America (413-584-4040)

Ohio Cleveland, West Side Catholic Center (216-636-4741)

Pennsylvania Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center (215-923-2600)

How many homeless veterans are there?
Although accurate numbers are impossible to come by -- no one keeps national records on homeless veterans -- the VA estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And nearly 400,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country. According to the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Urban Institute, 1999), veterans account for 23% of all homeless people in America.

http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm#questions

Vet Center
Vet Centers provide individual, group and family counseling to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members. Veterans have earned these benefits through their combat service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family
http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/





Women Veterans Statistics



Women Veterans Population

September 2006

The total veteran population in the United States and Puerto Rico , as of September 2006, was approximately 23.9 million. The population of women veterans numbered 1,731,125. States with the largest number of women veterans were California , Texas , Florida , Virginia and Georgia .

State-by-state totals (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and the Territories), follows:


Alabama 31,678
Alaska 6,950
Arizona 43,212
Arkansas 18,143
California 164,810
Colorado 36,294
Connecticut 14,722
Delaware 5,940
District of Columbia 3,261
Florida 132,723
Georgia 69,718
Hawaii 8,478
Idaho 9,660
Illinois 53,468
Indiana 32,620
Iowa 13,865
Kansas 16,137
Kentucky 22,468
Louisiana 27,526
Maine 9,358
Maryland 44,078
Massachusetts 28,096
Michigan 48,188
Minnesota 23,166
Mississippi 18,339
Missouri 35,370
Montana 7,114
Nebraska 10,899
Nevada 19,574
New Hampshire 8,382
New Jersey 30,478
New Mexico 14,742
New York 66,730
North Carolina 61,420
North Dakota 3,622
Ohio 63,256
Oklahoma 24,137
Oregon 25,401
Pennsylvania 63,279
Puerto Rico 7,086
Rhode Island 5,393
South Carolina 32,702
South Dakota 5,063
Tennessee 37,911
Texas 134,949
Utah 9,290
Vermont 3,750
Virginia 75,129
Washington 50,385
West Virginia 10,650
Wisconsin 27,571
Wyoming 3,866

Territories/Foreign 10,080
Total Women Veterans 1,731,125
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs, VetPop04,
Version 1, at www.va.gov/vetdata




Outreach to Women Veterans

Community Outreach to Women Veterans

Currently, women make up approximately 15 percent of the active force, are serving in all branches of the military, and are eligible for assignment in most military occupational specialties except for direct combat roles. The increase in the number of women serving in the military significantly impact the services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Projections show that by the year 2010, women will comprise well over 10 percent of the veteran population, an increase of 6 percent over current figures.

The Department of Veterans Affairs places great importance on providing women veterans access to information about and assistance with filing claims for VA benefits and health care services. To underscore VA's commitment, the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans was established in November 1983 by Public Law 98-160. This Committee continues to review VA programs, policy and the health care services for women veterans and publishes their findings. A copy of their 1998 report can be found at:

In November 1994, Public Law 103-446 established the Center for Women Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs under the Office of the Secretary. The primary mission of the Center for Women Veterans is to review VA programs and services for women veterans, and assure that women veterans receive benefits and services on a par with male veterans, encounter no discrimination in their attempt to access them, and are treated with the respect, dignity, and understanding by VA service providers.

VA has developed initiatives for women veterans that assure women veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled. One of the most important of these has been the establishment of the Women Veterans' Coordinator positions. Most VA regional offices, medical centers and vet centers have a designated Coordinator to assist women veterans in accessing VA benefits and health care services.

VA emphasizes equal access to care and adequate privacy within the Women Veterans Health Programs. Women VA patients receive complete physical examinations upon admission, including breast and pelvic exams. Clinicians emphasize preventive health care and counseling, including contraceptive services and menopause management, Pap smears and mammography. VA Clinicians and Women Veterans Coordinators are provided specialized training and sensitivity awareness to help sexual assault victims. Additionally, VA has been authorized to provide specialized counseling and treatment for the aftereffects of sexual trauma that occurred during military service. Our 1-800-827-1000 National toll free line is designated and advertised as the contact telephone number for veterans to receive information, assistance and referrals on issues related to sexual trauma in the military

go here for the rest

http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/page.cfm?pg=18

UNK Collegiate Veterans host panel on Post Traumatic Stress

UNK COLLEGIATE VETERANS ORGANIZATION SPONSORS EXPERTS PANEL ON POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) THURSDAY, NOV. 8


Date: November 5, 2007
Contact: Amber McCrory


In October of 2004, Amber McCrory was sent to Iraq to serve the nation in an increasingly debated war. McCrory, formerly of Amherst, served for 11 months in Iraq with the 313th Medical Company. While there, she saw things that many could never imagine.

When she arrived home in November of 2005, things were different for this veteran. Understandably, the experiences that she had while in Iraq had affected her; there was no way to forget everything that she had seen.

Now a student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, McCrory has made great strides to re-acclimate herself with being home. Perhaps one of the greatest discoveries that McCrory made after coming home from Iraq was to learn of a condition that she had--post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It was after learning about having PTSD that McCrory began attending counseling sessions. In these sessions, McCrory realized the reactions she was having were very normal and not her fault. Her doctor described them as normal reactions to an abnormal situation.

go here for the rest
http://www.unk.edu/news/nr/months/index.php?id=30560

N.J. center to aid assaulted female vets

N.J. center to aid assaulted female vets
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (UPI) -- A Veterans Administration treatment center is set to open in Bernards Township, N.J., to help female veterans who have been sexually assaulted.

The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger said Sunday that with the number of assault and harassment cases involving female soldiers increasing dramatically, the new center will provide treatment to those suffering from a condition known as military sexual trauma.

The healthcare facility, which opens its doors in December, will be the first residential VA center that focuses on the increasingly prevalent condition.

The center was created following the findings of an ongoing VA screening process that found 20 percent of female soldiers leaving the military encountered a form of sexual trauma during their service, the report said.
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New VA Woman's Unit Opens in Massachusetts

VA center opens women's unit
October 18, 2007

Good news for local women veterans: A long-anticipated new residential rehabilitation unit has opened at the VA Boston Healthcare System's Brockton campus.

The rehab program is designed to treat women who have both posttraumatic stress and substance abuse disorders.

The highly anticipated, eight-bed, residential unit had been scheduled to open in January, but was delayed.

VA spokeswoman Diane Keefe said that finding mental health specialists to staff the ward around the clock took longer than expected.

But as of this month, the center is admitting patients, she said. By Monday, four patients had been admitted to the unit, and another was expected, she said.

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